Security boost targets robbers

By Nicole Williams
GREATER Dandenong businesses are forking out the big bucks to protect themselves from persistent thieves.
Last month the Star reported that a Eumemmerring business had spent close to $30,000 beefing up security after five robberies in four months, and now another Greater Dandenong retailer has opened up about their own security issues.
Seca Marine Life moved to Springvale from Oakleigh in February, and within just two months had been robbed.
“In February, we moved to Springvale and at Easter we were broken into,” owner Robert Anderson said.
Cash was stolen from the till and security footage showed the intruder having a good look around the shop.
Seca Marine was robbed four times in four years while open in Oakleigh, on one occasion fish were poisoned and killed, costing the business up to $200,000 in losses and damage.
Mr Anderson said $22,000 had been spent on security in the new store, but it was not enough to catch the offender.
“We’ve spent an absolute high amount of money on alarm and camera system on the store,” he said.
“Police were on site in six months and missed him (the thief) by only seconds.
“But that person is now aware we have a silent alarm.”
Mr Anderson said taking the security precautions were necessary because there were only so many police on the streets.
“It comes back to police presence,” he said. “There is only so much the police can do, particularly when the case gets old and difficult to chase down.”
Landmark Computers in Eumemmerring has been robbed five times in four months and owner Naren Murugesu has also spent thousands of dollars beefing up security.
“I don’t know what else we can do,” Mr Murugesu said.
“Each time we add security, but they keep going to the next level.”
“My job is now just organising security and it is very, very stressful.”
The computer store has spent $30,000 directly on security measures and has counted thousands in losses for repairs and replacement stock.