The organisation representing business owners in Altona hope the tightening of the state’s bail laws will help ease crime in the bayside suburb.
Last week the state government announced what it described as the “toughest bail laws ever” following community outcry over rising crime rates and repeat offenders.
The changes, which include a second-strike rule for offenders and no longer treat remand as a last resort, were welcomed by Altona Village Traders Association president Ilch Mickovski who said the area around Pier Street, Queen Street and The Esplanade, had experienced an increase in crime over the past year.
“Stealing, vandalism, disrupting businesses and business owners and a sense of feeling unsafe. There’s a real sense of that talking to traders,” said Mr Mickovski who also runs a laundry business in Harrington Square.
According to the latest crime statistics, crime in Altona rose by 12 per cent in the year to September 2024, with 778 offences recorded, while crime in Hobsons Bay rose by more than 25 per cent during the same period.
To try and combat this, the traders association has employed private security guards to patrol the area during the busy summer months when people flock to Altona Beach and the nearby pier.
“They patrol Pier Street, Harrington Square, Somers Parade, Civic Parade and the surf life saving club,” said Mr Mickovski, adding this wasn’t the first time security guards had been employed, but that the spike in crime required a larger presence than before.
“Just having their presence has made Altona safer,” he said of the impact of the security guards who will finish up at end of this month.
“We can’t have security here full time because it’s unviable,” said Mr Mickovski who is hoping the new bail laws combined with cooperation from local police will ensure they’re not missed.
A spokesperson for Victoria Police said while crime had remained relatively stable in Altona over the last decade, the perception of safety was just as important.
“The community can be assured the Pier Street shopping district and pier is a priority area for us,” the spokesperson said.
“On top of regular patrols, local police regularly stage a CCTV trailer in various locations to help deter and detect crime.This effort will continue during the winter months.”
Hobsons Bay council was contacted for comment.
