General News
15 November, 2024
Police offer exchange in safety
Advertising and selling items no longer needed in online marketplaces is not only environmentally friendly, but is a good way to make some cash...but it may have risks.
For many, it can cause concern around safety, with many people not wanting to give their address to strangers, and furthermore have them attend their house for the transaction.
Buyers and sellers online in Horsham will now no longer have to worry about the safety risk, with the town's police station one of 35 across Victoria to benefit from a special zone, where the exchange of items purchased online can happen more safely.
Each Safe Exchange Site will be clearly signed outside the 24-hour police station, with CCTV coverage and lighting.
The selection of these sites follows a successful trial which commenced at a number of 24-hour police stations across Melbourne’s northeast in mid-2022.
During the trial’s evaluation period, robberies and thefts in the area stemming from online sales decreased, while police officers at these stations also observed people exchanging items regularly.
This concept was originally developed following an increase in assaults, robberies and thefts linked to online trading, which peaked in 2020 before COVID lockdowns.
Mobile phones are the most common high value item stolen in these incidents.
Commander Tim Tully said while the overall number of assaults, robberies and thefts connected to online exchanges is low, Police don’t want to see any occur.
“With the popularity of buying and selling items via online marketplaces continuing to grow, this initiative is all about police getting on the front foot to ensure an emerging crime theme doesn’t become an embedded trend," he said.
“While these sites are a safer alternative than meeting someone at your home or in a dimly lit area with no CCTV, we still encourage people to consider the risks of meeting a person they’ve never met before.
“Police suggest meeting during daylight hours if possible and bringing someone with you to the exchange."