BUSINESSES in Eaglehawk are calling for CCTV cameras to be installed in the area after a spate of break-ins.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Eaglehawk post office owner Laxma Cherukuthota said his business was broken into recently. While nothing was stolen from the Victoria Street address, there was extensive damage to the building's front window.
Mr Cherukuthota installed a private CCTV camera out the front of his store following the break-in but said it has not deterred other offenders in the area.
"There has been a lot of break-ins in a lot of different businesses," he said. "There was one time where they did it continuously.
"It was very hard to find them and so if they have CCTV cameras in the area, people won't come in to break-in at night time."
Bailey & Co. Hair Design on Victoria Street, Eaglehawk was also broken into earlier this year. Owner Machelle Bailey said she would support greater surveillance in the business area.
"We've had people that have smashed our windows recently," Ms Bailey said. "We didn't have anything stolen, but we've had a lot of young people hanging around looking a bit iffy.
"We also have people that go down our laneway to the back of our shop quite a bit."
The Bendigo central business district already has an extensive surveillance system, with more than 100 CCTV cameras operating around town.
The City of Greater Bendigo installed more than 21 cameras in Hargreaves Mall in July 2018.
A further 17 cameras were also installed at Mitchell Lane and Bolton Lane, as well as the Coles multi-level car park off Lyttleton Terrace.
There are also cameras at the intersection of Lyttleton Terrace, Hopetoun St and Mundy St, the centre of Bull St, Sydney Myer Place-Bendigo Magistrates' Court, Rosalind Plaza and the Bendigo library gardens.
Mr Cherukuthota said a similar system in Eaglehawk would be beneficial for businesses.
"I think it would be good to have them the same way," he said. "I think it will make a difference because people are aware that they are being watched."
Grant Rule owns Grant Rule Mens & Ladies Fashion on High Street, Eaglehawk. He said his business was broken into for the first time in decades last year.
"They came in through the back door and raided the till," Mr Rule said. "I had already cleared it away so there were only a few goldies and silvers in there. The alarm came on anyway and he ran out."
Mr Rule also installed a camera out the front of his store after the break-in, but said more cameras along the city streets would be helpful.
"I think everyone is doing it these days," Mr Rule said. "It seems to be the way to go. I suppose you don't know from one day to the next if you're going to be robbed. It's an ongoing problem."
The Eaglehawk business owners said a greater police presence in the area would also help curb crime.
"I think more police would be good," Mr Rule said. "Any of those two things are only going to help businesses in general."
Ms Bailey said she and her staff have at times waited hours for police to respond to incidents.
"Eaglehawk is a nice place but when things happen it takes ages for anyone to do anything about it," Ms Bailey said. "We don't appear to have immediate responses."
A City of Greater Bendigo spokesperson said CCTV cameras were funded by state or federal governments and that council would only be in charge of maintaining the cameras.
Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards has been contacted for comment.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.