Alarming ‘relentless’ trend emerging at Victorian shopping centres

There’s been a “relentless” surge in aggression and violence in Victorian shopping centres, with a series of alarming reports emerging this week.

Yesterday three teenagers were stabbed in a brawl at Watergardens Shopping Centre, and Neil Mitchell has this week been told teenagers are shoplifting, abusing staff and even following them to their cars at a supermarket in Arena Shopping Centre in Officer.

Chief industry affairs officer at the Australian Retailers Association, Fleur Brown, says retail workers have endured “three plus years of relentless customer aggression”.

Press PLAY below to hear about the alarming behaviour at shopping centres

Ms Brown is calling on the Andrews government to follow the lead of New South Wales and introduce tougher penalties for assaults targeting retail workers.

“Across the city — from the west, to the outer-east, and even the north — I’m getting messages of kids causing havoc in shopping centres,” Neil Mitchell said.

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