Police were called to Monash University Berwick to investigate student security concerns.By Callan Date
POLICE have been called in to investigate claims women have been stalked and secretly filmed in their rooms at Monash University’s Berwick campus.
Narre Warren Leading Senior Constable David Hewatt said a video camera and a bottle of Vaseline moisturiser were discovered near the students’ residences.
Police were alerted to the presence of the equipment at the Clyde Road campus last Thursday night.
Leading Sen Const Hewatt said he found a camera which contained about 20 minutes of footage depicting students “in various stages of undress, from doing washing in their underwear to showering”.
Police said security staff at the campus had earlier spotted a man loitering near the student housing area.
Leading Sen Const Hewatt said: “At some stage he has gone for another walk around the campus and while he was returning to the residences he has been spotted by security walking across the car park,” he said.
“Security has then followed him to the rear of the same units. After a while he has again been spotted by security and caught in the torchlight.”
A man was taken back to Narre Warren Police Station where he was interviewed.
“His house was searched which located nothing but some camera tapes which had no footage on them,” Sen Const Hewatt said.
Monash University has since stood by its security measures at Berwick.
University spokesman Tim Mitchell said officials were unaware of any similar incidents occurring at the Berwick campus.
He said Monash was satisfied with the security measures in place and no extra surveillance would be implemented.
More than 80 students live on campus at Monash Berwick.
“There have been conversations with students and they have been advised to be cautious with their living arrangements.
“We do take the safety of students seriously and that is why we have 24-hour security patrols,” Mr Mitchell said.
Monash Union of Berwick Students (MUBS) president Chris Stenhouse said the majority of students were unaware of any stalking incident.
“Nothing official has been said to MUBS,” he said.
*A 39-year-old Pakenham man has been charged with five counts of stalking and one count of using a surveillance device.
He has been bailed to appear before the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 29 September.
