Retailers locked in fight for safety
GEELONG retailers are going to extreme lengths to secure their stores in a bid to combat burglaries.
After being rocked by a series of smash-and-grab robberies — including one where teenage crooks ransacked her shop with a sledgehammer — Freestyle clothing store owner Andrea Witty installed iron bars in her front window.
The incidents set Ms Witty back more than $20,000 in damages and loss of merchandise. She is fed up with the constant threat of being burgled.
“The force and destruction was just crazy,” she said. “I was at the point where I was being kept awake at night just waiting for my alarm to go off.
“All the Pakington St businesses have copped quite a hammering.
“We shouldn’t have to secure our shops like this.”
In a cruel twist, Ms Witty claims a group of juvenile perpetrators who raided her store were arrested and later re- leased under the Young Offender’s Act.
Ms Witty and her staff have resorted to “speaking in codes” to catch thieves.
“You have to blame the justice system,” she said. “It has such a snowball everybody.”
Police revealed the list of Geelong West businesses targeted included clothing shops, cafes, pizza restaurants and beauty salons. effect on
According to Crime Statistics Agency data, 3030 burglaries were reported across Greater Geelong in 2016, up 34.6 per cent from 2012.
Security installer Jason Hughes said demand for CCTV and alarm systems skyrocketed in recent months. “Our business has increased threefold in about six months,” he said.
Those with any information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.