Corio shopping bans clean up behaviour

Alex de Vos
A “unique” move to ban anti-social shoppers for up to three years has slashed crime at a Corio Shopping Centre, according to management.
Mark Appleford said the shopping centre introduced the sanctions in collaboration with Corio Police, allowing security staff to target “disruptive shoppers” for a range of misbehaviour including willful damage, indecent language and instigating fights.
Mr Appleford, the centre’s operations manager, said offenders faced bans from the centre ranging from one to three years depending on the severity of their misdemeanor.
The bans on anti-social shoppers followed complaints from customers and staff fed up with regular “fights and disruptions”.
“There was a lot of unrest in the area and people were settling their disputes in the centre,” Mr Appleford said.
“We were experiencing a lot of problems with anti-social behaviour and breaking up two to three fights a week.”
Mr Appleford said staff had reported shoppers punching holes in walls following disputes at the centre’s Centrelink office.
“If their payment is rejected they’ll punch a hole in the wall. Glass is also smashed,” he said.
But the reforms had “significantly” reduced the incidence of anti-social shoppers.
“Since the bans were introduced about two years ago we probably get one significant anti-social behaviour a month,” he said.
“We deprive them of their right to shop, which is a severe punishment. The opportunities are really limited for people in the northern suburbs and there’s really nothing for kids to do except hang out at the centre.
“It’s had a massive impact.”
Mr Appleford said shoppers and staff had also reported vast improvement.
“You just don’t see the things you used to – people have more confidence walking around the centre.”
Mr Appleford said the centre had given 80 people their marching orders since introducing the bans.
“We’ve got about 30 people on the list now but we try not to ban more than 40 people a year because it’s too hard to monitor.”
Corio Police Senior Sergeant Phil Wilson praised the bans.
“The partnership has benefited the police and the centre,” he said.
Sgt Wilson said banned shoppers who thumbed their noses at the new conditions of entry would be charged with trespassing.
“They’ll have to go through the courts and the penalties range from a community based order to jail time.”