BRIMBANK commuters are keeping away from Sunshine railway station at night and some traders are shutting up early to avoid antisocial behaviour plaguing the area.
Crime statistics released last week revealed the number of robberies reported in Brimbank decreased by 20 per cent, but assaults rose 15.3 per cent.
There were 1656 assaults from July 2011-June 2012, compared with 1436 the year before. Total crime in Brimbank increased by 6 per cent. There were 391,325 crimes reported, up from 361,611 in the previous financial year.
Sunshine’s Acting Inspector Chris Gilbert said more than 50 per cent of assaults could be attributed to family violence. The rest were largely linked to robberies or assaults at transport hubs.
Deshi Hut grocer Mohammad Reza called for daily police patrols at Sunshine station.
He said violence and antisocial behaviour in the area meant he closed the doors of his Hampshire Road shop before 8pm.
“There is no way I would stay open any later — it’s just not safe,” he said. “There are young men standing in groups fighting each other and asking people for money. I’ve seen them push people and demand money . . . it’s not good for business.”
Mr Reza said he had noticed an increase in antisocial behaviour.
“It’s not getting better, that’s for sure . . . this happens every week, particularly on weekends; there are more and more young men.”
Crave Convenience Store proprietor Simran Kaur said she deliberately closed before 6pm. “We don’t get nice customers coming in after dark.”
She said she used to catch the train to work, but the bus was now a safer option. “I wouldn’t feel safe using the underpass at night.”
A council survey last year revealed one in six residents cited safety and crime as the city’s biggest problem.
St Albans Traders Association secretary Asip Demiri believed the biggest danger for residents was secluded laneways. “I’ve seen women get the bags snatched out of their hands and be attacked in broad daylight,” he said.
“It’s extremely daunting . . . it doesn’t matter if it’s day or night — laneways where there is nobody around are best avoided.”
Acting Inspector Gilbert said police were determined to reduce antisocial behaviour around transport hubs and urged traders to keep laneways clear and visible.
He said police operations had focused on St Albans station and central business district. Police will this month patrol Sunshine station and along the Sydenham line to Watergardens.
“The addition of 23 new police officers in the area will mean we have more dedicated officers for this taskforce.
“We’ve already seen a considerable change in the environment at St Albans station and surrounding streets with less antisocial behaviour and traders telling us they feel safer.”
He said there would be greater police presence at Sunshine station at day and night.
