FIGHTS, intimidation, near misses with cars and general antisocial behaviour is a regular occurrence at the western end of Launceston’s Brisbane Street.
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This is according to business owners who report ongoing issues with the mainly young people on a daily basis from 3pm onwards.
Plough Inn licensee Darren Potts said he tried to break up a fight earlier this month with as many as 100 people involved or looking on.
In recent weeks the city has seen a spike in damage to central business district shopfronts, with broken and cracked windows, as well as antisocial behaviour and a rise in theft.
The matter was raised last week at a Launceston City Council committee meeting as one of the greatest concerns for business people and Cityprom has since organised a gathering for all businesses and stakeholders on April 2.
Not a day goes by without an incident and it's getting worse
- Plough Inn licensee Darren Potts
Mr Potts said a day didn’t go by without an incident and the situation had worsened in recent months.
‘‘I’ve broken up three or four fights – one even in the cinema. It’s just out of control,’’ Mr Potts said.
He said police patrolled and responded to calls but they could only get there when they could and even if they told people to move on, those individuals returned half an hour later, he said.
Other business people in the area reported similar incidents, as well as concerns about drugs and intimidation of their customers.
Tasmania Police Launceston Acting Inspector Jason Jones said they had increased their patrols – of both uniform and plain clothes officers – to keep an eye on hot spots, particularly northern Brisbane Street.
He said he was aware of fights in the area but none involving weapons or over drugs.
In regards to damage to property in the CBD police statistics indicated 90 incidents had occurred in the past nine months.
‘‘That’s pretty well consistent – sometimes we have a couple that go under that but March is looking a little higher,’’ Acting Inspector Jones said.
Launceston Chamber of Commerce executive officer Maree Tetlow said they supported the police in passing on information to business people about what they could do to better secure their premises.
Ms Tetlow said it was understood the incidents were more than likely linked to drugs, either by people stealing from businesses to support a habit or those on substances causing random damage.
However, Ms Tetlow said it was important to recognise the wider issues, such as high youth unemployment and lack of opportunities, that could be driving some people to this.
