Crime and anti-social behaviour are driving shoppers away from Werribee CBD, according to Station Place traders.
They say laneways feeding off Station Place, its proximity to Werribee train station, a GP’s office that runs a methadone program and second-hand goods shops were attracting undesirable behaviour.
Val Grasso, from Station Place Florist, said staff were forced to shut the doors during the day at least once a month because of anti-social behaviour right outside the business.
She said staff had been abused by people who were clearly drunk or under the influence of drugs.
She said staff had also come across people chroming and doing graffiti in the back laneway and recently her mobile phone was stolen from a bench inside the store.
Fellow worker Maree Camillo added: “We’ve had punch-ons in the street … they almost broke the front window once.
“If you’re by yourself in the shop, you get a bit nervous.
“There’s an incident every day.”
Paul Camilleri, from Werribee Station Street Meats, said that while he had never experienced any trouble inside the store, he believed anti-social behaviour on the street deterred customers.
Police presence
A worker from Baker’s Delight, who asked not to be named, said the trouble had “reduced considerably” in recent times because of an increased police presence, but said there were still aggressive customers.
“You can tell some customers aren’t right in the head,” the staff member said.
Wyndham police Inspector Frank Sells said police were aware of reports about anti-social behaviour in Station Place and Watton Street.
“To address this issue we’ve increased police presence in the area by deploying the Mobile Police Facility, from which foot patrols are conducted,” Inspector Sells said.
“I believe we’re having an impact in reducing anti-social behaviour and some feedback suggests the increased police presence is working.
“The community safety team will continue to be deployed in accordance with information we receive, so I ask the community to let us know what’s happening.”
