Vandals go

A DOVETON shopping strip is under siege with some of the worst vandalism in the past 30 years occurring recently, traders say.
Businesses in Autumn Place have expressed their dismay after three buildings were attacked during a violent rampage last Tuesday week.
Several windows at a solicitor’s office, kindergarten and fish and chip shop along the popular shopping precinct are the latest targets.
Police said baseball bats or similar wooden objects were used to smash the glass panels between 7.30pm and 8.10pm.
Traders face repair bills of more than $3000.
They have spoken out in the hope authorities will continue their crackdown on anti-social behaviour in the area.
Autumn Place business owner Joy, who asked for her surname to be withheld, said there had been a lot of problems in the area over the last few months.
“It’s been going on for quite a while. We have had fighting in the street,” she said.
“It’s getting out of hand and something needs to be done about it. One day someone from the public is going to get hurt.
“Everyone here is just trying to earn a living and we have people scaring our customers away,” she said.
Fish and chip shop owner Peter said he had two windows broken during the latest attack.
He said he had been operating in Autumn Place for the past two years and was also frustrated with the vandalism.
Other traders, who wished to remain anonymous, said they had suffered extensive damage with broken windows and graffiti heading the list.
Several shops have been forced to cover their front windows up with unsightly metal roller shutters to avoid the continued cost of replacing damaged glass.
Endeavour Hills Senior Sergeant Mike Jenkins said police had been working closely with the City of Casey and Doveton and Eumemmerring Neighbourhood Renewal (DENR) project workers to curb the problems.
“We have had a plan in place for Autumn Place for the last couple of months now,” Sen Sgt Jenkins said.
“We have increased our visible presence in the area and conducted several covert police activities with officers in unmarked cars.” He said police had also implemented alcohol and drug detection initiatives to catch people breaking the law.
“We have charged a whole range of offenders for various offences as part of the crackdown.
“Unfortunately isolated incidents, like the one last week, will happen from time to time. These recent matters will be investigated thoroughly and we are fairly confident something will come of that,” Sen Sgt Jenkins said.
He said regular patrols would continue around the clock in the troubled area.
Anyone with information about any incident at Autumn Place is asked to call Endeavour Hills Police on 9709 7666 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.