CCTV footage at St Germain Central captured a group of young people causing significant damage to the centre. The cost of repairs is substantial, and the impact has been felt by businesses, staff and visitors who rely on this centre every day.
This is not an isolated event. It is one of many incidents involving groups of young people at the centre in recent months, and the pattern is having a real effect on the businesses here and the experience of everyone who visits. The centre has security on site, but no security presence can be everywhere at once, and these incidents often happen quickly and without warning.
Repeated damage and rising security costs are not free. These costs are ultimately felt by the businesses that operate here, and in time, by the shoppers and community who use this centre. We would much rather invest in the centre than in repairs and additional security made necessary by a small number of people.
We have reported this incident, and the broader pattern, to Victoria Police, and we are actively working with them as the investigation continues.
If you see an incident like this happening, please call 000 while it is in progress. Police attending at the time is genuinely the most effective way for us to take action, including banning individuals from the centre, so a call made in the moment makes a real difference, not just after the fact.
Most young people in our community are respectful and considerate, and this behaviour does not reflect them. But it does need to stop. If you are a parent, we are asking you directly to talk to your children about the damage this kind of behaviour causes, not just to a building, but to the businesses, jobs and community that depend on this centre.
If you have any information about this incident or the ongoing pattern, please contact Victoria Police on 03 5991 0600 or cranbourne.uni@police.vic.gov.au
We are committed to keeping St Germain Central a place this community can be proud of, and we need the community’s help to do that.