The Canberra Centre was the site of an assault on Monday. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Canberra Centre management has reassured shoppers of its commitment to customer safety following an alleged unprovoked assault on three people at the mall this week.
ACT Policing said a group of teenagers were causing a disturbance at the centre by knocking over displays and shouting at members of the public.
When a 65-year-old man approached the group and reprimanded them for their behaviour and then walked away, it is alleged a 16-year-old boy followed him and repeatedly hit him in the face, causing him to fall to the ground.
Two bystanders who then intervened to stop the violence were allegedly assaulted, too.
“Canberra Centre has assisted ACT Policing with their investigation into an alleged assault that took place outside the centre on Monday. Immediately prior to the incident, Canberra Centre security had removed three young persons from the centre after reports of alleged shoplifting,” Canberra Centre general manager Gary Stewart told Region.
“The safety and wellbeing of our entire Canberra Centre community is always our overriding concern and something we take very seriously. Our centre is patrolled by our dedicated security team 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with support from an extensive CCTV network.
“We have worked with ACT Policing and various CBD stakeholders to support a heightened level of uniformed patrols as part of the City Safe campaign to address criminal and antisocial behaviour in the CBD and will continue to do so.”
Canberra Business Chamber CEO Greg Harford says crime in the CBD is a “significant issue” for retail outlets and other stores because it can deter people from coming into town.
“It creates a perception that the CBD is an unsavoury and potentially unsafe place to work,” he said.
“Anyone coming into the city to work or play should have the right to come in, feel safe, and go home safe every time. The recent Police operation to clean up antisocial and criminal behaviour in Civic was a positive step, and the Business Chamber would support an enhanced Police presence in Civic.”
In July 2024, ACT Policing launched its City Safe campaign to address criminal and antisocial behaviour in the CBD and immediate surrounds.
The high visibility operation is focused on policing licenced premises, local businesses, and high foot traffic areas in the City and Braddon.
The campaign was initiated in response to concerns raised by local businesses regarding criminal and antisocial behaviour.
Several Region readers have also expressed their apprehension about coming into the centre.
“It is like Lord of the Flies most days here in the CBD. With so many people either busy at work or not in the CBD, they just don’t have any clue how bad it is. Since Christmas, I’ve seen ambos come to resuscitate drug users more than 10 times,” one commenter said.
Heywood Smith wrote that he only “ventures into the ghetto when it’s absolutely necessary”.
Another comment read: “The CBD used to be safer than Woden for shopping, but it sounds like it too has descended into a place to be avoided.”
Despite the perceptions, ACT Policing crime statistics indicate the number of offences occurring in the city centre in the first half of 2024 decreased compared to the first six months of 2023.
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