Emily Chapman Laing
Cranbourne East locals Lesley Ironside and Andy Meldrum are among a growing number of victims of youth crime.
Data shows youth crime for perpetrators aged 10-17 was up by 43 per cent in Casey in 2022.
The couple have lived in Cranbourne East for over five years.
“Up until December 2022 it was our experience that it was a peaceful neighbourhood,” Lesley said.
On 19 December 2022 one of the couple’s cars, a black BMW sedan, was broken into at around 1.30am.
Andy said he was woken up by lights being turned on by a motion sensor in the car port, but the duo had previously had issues with a cat setting them off, so they ignored it.
About half an hour later Andy heard the sound of something being dropped on the kitchen floor.
Hearing this he got up and went to the kitchen to discover the outdoor sliding door open, as well as the fly screen.
Lesley said the attending police remarked that their home was unlikely to be targeted again.
In early January, the couple faced another incident.
They said a group of youths “attempted to break in to the property using a knife to break the front bedroom window, which we were asleep in.”
The couple’s neighbour reportedly witnessed the break in and called the police.
The youngest person in the group was said to be eight-years-old.
The couple later discovered “sneaker prints” on the roof of their carport, where they believe the youths had jumped over the gate.
An intact fingerprint was also discovered and taken by police.
Lesley said she had to follow up with Narre Warren Police multiple times regarding the incidents.
Between 11 January and 20 January, Lesley said she visited the police station numerous times regarding the fingerprints, but was told they were not ready.
Lesley also reached out to the local MP’s office and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
“Since then the behaviour of the youths has escalated,” she said.
“We hear and see the youths, who are all distinctive as a group walking, or more recently, running past our property between 1am and 5am, on a regular basis.
“Typically the male youths wear grey hoodies and trackies which has the effect of making them blend into the background on monochrome video footage.”
On 18 March, the couple reported footage of the youths passing the house and talking about breaking in again, with one of the youths carrying a knife.
Lesley and Adam say they have submitted the footage to the Narre Warren Police Station.
“Casey Crime Investigation Unit detectives are aware of a small number of incidents which allegedly occurred in Cranbourne East and the surrounding areas between 19 December 2022 to 2 April 2023 including attempted aggravated burglary, aggravated burglary and a stolen vehicle,” Victoria Police said in a statement about the incidents.
Currently, there is no evidence to suggest offenders are linked to any gangs.
Lesley and Adam also say they have footage of the same group attempting to break into neighbouring cars, and urinating on one of their cars.
Other incidents in the area have also been caught on camera.
“It feels like the behaviour of the youths has become more aggressive, intimidating and brazen since Christmas,” Lesley said.
“We have become very light sleepers, and are often woken as the youths pass our house, both walking from and to their place.”
After the second break in the couple installed ring doorbell cameras and more motion activated lights.
“We are no longer comfortable being away from the property, not knowing what we will find when we come home,” they said.
“Two neighbours that we are aware of have sold their properties as a result of the youths’ behaviour.”
After the incident with the knife, the couple formed an ad hoc Neighbourhood Watch using WhatsApp.
The group currently has 15 members.
“Each member has their own story to tell… but each story has common elements,” Lesley said.
