Retail workers in Wollongong's lower Crown Street Mall say they are increasingly the target of verbal abuse and physical threats from criminals peddling drugs outside their stores.
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They say drug dealers are brazenly plying their trade in open sight, only to scatter when police arrive at the scene.
One woman, who asked not to be named, said the situation had gradually worsened, with more unsavoury characters taking up residence each day at the new seating in the mall since nearby refurbishment work had begun.
While most came to enjoy a coffee and relax, a few were overstepping the good behaviour mark.
‘‘We’ve always had a small problem but basically it’s gotten worse since they’ve put in those new chairs,’’ she said.
‘‘I’ve been working in Wollongong for a very long time, I’ve never seen anything like this.’’
The worker said she had personally witnessed criminal behaviour, including drug deals, taking place out in public as early as 8am.
‘‘I’ve seen that with my own eyes, passing pills in exchange for money,’’ she said.
The woman said she was regularly the target of abuse, with people affected by drugs often wandering aimlessly into the store with shopping the furthest thing from their minds.
‘‘They come in ranting and raving, and they come in packs of five or six,’’ she said.
‘‘I’ve had them screaming at me or just going on with high talk, just nonsense – they are off their trees.
‘‘One of them made punching motions at me last week.’’
Now fearing for her safety, the woman has decided to give up her weekend shifts to avoid being in the area on her own.
‘‘We’ve probably got about three incidents a week where police have to come because of violence,’’ she said.
‘‘I’ve been told by a number of customers that they just don’t feel comfortable coming into town any more.’’
Another Crown Street worker, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal attacks, said the situation was a regular source of conversation between business operators who often compared their weekly tally of phone calls to police.
Wollongong crime manager Detective Inspector Tim Beattie said police were highly aware of the situation and had significantly increased patrols in the area.
‘‘I’m sure the community has seen an increased presence of police in the mall,’’ he said.
‘‘We’ve got a visible presence in that area as often as we can and we respond to any calls when a crime has been committed.’’
But he said there had to be balance in their approach and that it was not an offence for people to simply be present in the area.
‘‘Certainly people can be moved on but they must meet certain criteria,’’ he said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800333000.
