The home security business is “booming” as demand skyrockets in Caroline Springs, Derrimut and Burnside, suburbs’ hit by a spate of home invasions, robberies and car-jackings, a local security specialist claims.
Derrimut CCTV camera and security alarm installer Rob Ribic said there has been a spike in demand for his business in recent months.
Locals are spending big money on security too, with one Caroline Springs family paying out $3500 recently, he said.
Mr Ribic believes it is a direct response to home break-ins, armed robberies and carjackings in the area over recent months.
“I’m living in the heart of it; I understand the fear,” Mr Ribic said.
“My wife is scared; I have three children myself. It is a bit daunting.”
He said the demand for extra security had come from three suburbs in particular.
“I’ve been doing a fair bit of late in Derrimut, Burnside and Caroline Springs,” he said.
“I was doing maybe two to three [system installations] a month, an average week is now about two to three a week. It’s booming.”
Mr Ribic said modern-day technology allowed residents to view camera surveillance 24 hours a day through their mobile phones, TV or iPad.
Caroline Springs home security installer Anton said he had also noticed an increase in demand, especially for security cameras.
“There’s been a lot more people asking for cameras at their homes,” he said.
“People that have alarm systems doing nothing, they’re calling to service them and reprogram them. It’s … all over Melbourne.”
In another attempt to make residents feel safer, self-defence classes for women were trialled at the Derrimut and Deer Park Neighbourhood Watch at the weekend.
And Watch spokeswoman Rosa Mikac said Sunshine police had agreed to conduct extra patrols in Derrimut Village at a recent Neighbourhood Watch meeting.
