Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan and member for Bendigo West Bob Cameron will meet with council, police and local agencies to discuss ways of stamping out anti-social behaviour.

“Bendigo is a great city where families can feel safe and young people can move about freely,” Ms Allan said.

“While overall crime has reduced in the last year, there has been a much higher focus on anti-social behaviour.

“Unfortunately from time to time a small handful of idiots can ruin a night out or cause trouble by stupid alcohol-fuelled antics.”

Mr Cameron said the meeting would focus on ways of improving community safety.

“There has been a long history in Bendigo of the police, the council and local agencies working together through the Bendigo Safe Community Forum to address issues around actual and perceived levels of violence.

“We want to build on this record and work on new ways to make sure that our community feels safe and is safe.”

Liberal candidate for Bendigo West Anita Donlon said the meeting had been called in response to a rally she held in the CBD earlier this month protesting about violence against shoppers and shop owners.

About 10 people attended the rally.

“Many young families and the elderly just do not feel safe shopping in Bendigo’s CBD at the moment,” Ms Donlon said.

“The problem is far greater than incidents after dark. The problem stretches beyond the CBD and into other communities of Bendigo.

“The Brumby Government has had more than a decade to allocate enough police to have daily foot patrols in the city’s CBD and shopping strips.

“Instead of talks behind closed doors, our communities need a visible police presence.”

The meeting will be held on Friday and will be chaired by City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Rod Campbell.

On Saturday night two 16-year-old boys allegedly bashed a man for $10 in a Bendigo service station.

Late last month a staff member at Universal nightclub was allegedly glassed by a patron.

The Advertiser reported yesterday that a gang of youths who hang around Rosalind Park and CBD shopping centres had sparked an increase in robberies of 26 per cent during the past year.