Business Owners told to ‘Learn Martial Arts’ Amid Violent Crime Wave

With violent crimes and aggravated burglaries on the rise in St Kilda, residents took to the streets this week to demand stronger action from the Allan Labor government.

Several hundred residents marched through the streets and held up trams during the Make Port Philip Safer community walk on Jan. 20, which concluded at Acland St Plaza, where many small businesses have been targeted by thieves.

One of the organisers of the walk, Lauren Sherson, who was defeated by Labor’s Nina Taylor for the seat of Albert Park during the 2022 Victorian election, said residents were now living in fear.

Just over the past week, there have been multiple knife attacks in St Kilda.

Sherson said small business owners were now being told to “learn martial arts” by police due to the lack of crime-prevention resources in the region.

“During COVID there were police stopping people on bicycles along the bay,” she told The Epoch Times.

“Police were walking down my street and everywhere, but 1737596145 they’re just not here. I think there’s one ‘divvy van’ for South Melbourne and one for St Kilda.

“And when there’s a domestic violence call-out, they go to that as a priority. So there’s no vehicle on the road for them to be able to go to other places.”

This week, a teenager allegedly slashed someone across the head with a machete in a random attack on a busy street to steal a car. The teen sought bail following a nine-month crime spree.

Bail Laws ‘Too Soft’

The Allan government voted against strengthening its current bail laws in August last year, despite an increase in repeat offenders across the state.

St Kilda in particular was hit hard by rising crime rates.

Victoria shadow Police Minister David Southwick attended the walk on Jan. 20. He said the state’s current bail laws were too soft, allowing repeat offenders to continue to spread fear.

“What we’re seeing is the people are just fed up with the fact that there seems to be no response from the government,” he told The Epoch Times.

“They’re soft on crime, and there are no consequences for those repeat offenders, particularly when you see people turning up with machetes threatening people outside businesses.

“[St Kilda locals have] never felt as unsafe now as they have before.”

Victorian Liberals leader Brad Battin—formerly the shadow minister for police—has promised to strengthen bail laws.

This is something Southwick agrees should happen, and that is because he believes criminal gangs have been given too much freedom.

Southwick said the Allan government had “failed its people.”

“It’s a revolving door of crime. Instead of tackling the problem when it hits and looking at what should be done immediately to make sure those people don’t end up re-offending, there are just no consequences,” he said.

“When we’ve got a lot of young people offending—you want to send them on a path where they’re going to be valuable contributors to society.

“That’s just not the case. It’s now about ‘how do you graduate into more severe crime and harm others?’

“And that should not be the approach. A government’s single and first major focus should be ensuring its people are safe.”

Immediate Action Needed

In 2023, St Kilda had significantly higher violent and property crimes per 1,000 people than the rest of Victoria and Australia.

Sherson said she knew many people who have been directly affected by aggravated burglaries and random assaults but added the lack of policing resources was significantly affecting the rising crime rates.

“It’s been getting progressively worse. We need something immediate and practical. And even, for example, St Kilda police station will ring out [after calling for help],” she said.

“My next-door neighbours have [had their homes robbed]. I’ve had girlfriends sexually assaulted.

“Another girlfriend’s house was broken into while she was at home, and she had her passport taken and family heirlooms and jewellery broken.

“She ended up sleeping on the floor because she was so scared to be in that house.”

Sherson is lobbying the government to put more taxpayer funds and resources into its police force, which is currently understaffed across the state due to an ongoing pay dispute.

“We’re here to support the police, and we think they’re great. We want more police,” she said.

Criminals ‘Are Getting More Support’

Victoria’s shadow minister for health, Georgie Crozier, also attended the Make Port Philip Safer community walk.

Twelve months ago, she was a victim of an aggravated attempted burglary at her home while she was asleep at 1 a.m.

The young offender climbed onto her roof before trying to kick in her door. He fled after police arrived.

In Victoria, aggravated burglaries rose 33 percent from 4,201 in 2022, to 5,590 in 2023, with Crozier describing last year’s ordeal as “scary.”

“I was ‘ag burged’ exactly this time last year. It is terrifying. The victims of crime are not getting the support that they deserve,” she said.

“People committing crimes are getting far more support than the victims of crime.”

She said the police were feeling overwhelmed and helpless.

“It’s not just petty crime—these are dangerous, severe crimes. That’s the issue with these young people committing very serious, very significant crimes repeatedly.”

Crozier was disappointed that a Labor representative or minister did not attend the Make Port Philip Safer community walk, which would have been a show of bipartisan support.

Council Hears Community’s Call For More Police

City of Port Phillip Mayor Louise Crawford said the city shared the community’s concern about safety and was committed to maintaining the area as a safe and vibrant place to live and work.

“Council delivers a range of services, including officers who can address breaches of the local law through patrols and rapid response initiatives, housing and homelessness services, CCTV infrastructure and social inclusion support,” she in a public statement in response to the community walk.

“However, aggressive, unlawful behaviour including violent behaviour and illegal drug taking are matters for the Victoria Police. Only the police have the legislative powers, training, and equipment to deal with illegal behaviour.

“That is why Council acknowledges and understands Monday’s community walk calling for greater police resourcing throughout the City of Port Phillip. Council greatly values our partnership with Victoria Police and the critical work they do in our community under difficult circumstances.”

The Epoch Times contacted the office of Crawford and Labor’s member for Albert Park, Nina Taylor, for further comment.