Attacks on northern shopping centres continues

February 23, 2006

Section: Community

THE spate of vandalism to northern suburbs' shopping centres continues unabated with Helensburgh the latest target of attacks over the weekend.

Four shops in Walker Street were vandalised and robbed, while voluntary beautification work along the curbside was destroyed on Saturday night or in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Helensburgh Beautification Project spokesperson Scott Smith said five heavy sandstone planter boxes, valued at $900 and donated by local businesses, were overturned, with plants ripped-out. One planter box was smashed. Bus shelters were also vandalised with community posters destroyed.

"This is demoralising," Mr Smith said. "We will persevere, but it puts in question the future of the beautification project," he said.

Businesses and volunteers would hesitate to become involved in the project when work is constantly vandalised, Mr Smith said.

"Every Saturday and Sunday morning we wake to new instances of damage and there is absolutely nothing to hinder its prevalence."

The Helensburgh attacks follow a similar spate of vandalism? at Thirroul shopping centre in recent months.

Police said a number of break, enter and steal and Malicious damage incidents have been reported over the last week in the Helensburgh area. Inspector Joe Mura said Helensburgh and Wollongong police will be carrying out random patrols of the shopping centre over the next few weeks. Detectives have been tasked in the area making further enquiries in relation to the?reported incidents. "Police are urging anyone with information to come forward; all? information will remain confidential and will be investigated," Insp Mura said.

Mr Smith said vandalism had gradually increased in the area since a permanent police presence was removed from Helensburgh Police Station.

For more information on the Helensburgh Beautification Project visit www.nio.net.au/hbp