Special zones where buyers and sellers can exchange items purchased online have been established outside 35 24-hour police stations across Victoria, with Mooroolbark selected as one of these.
The exchange sites provide people transacting items listed on online marketplaces with a safer alternative than meeting unknown people at locations such as their homes, parks, or carparks.
Each Safer Exchange Site has clear signage outside the 24-hour police station, as well as CCTV coverage and lighting.
This concept was originally developed following an increase in robberies, thefts and assaults linked to online trading, which peaked in 2020 before Covid lockdowns. Smartphones are the most common high value item stolen in these incidents.
“While the overall number of assaults, thefts and robberies connected to online exchanges is low, we don’t want to see any occur,” Commander Tim Tully said.
“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.
Exchange zones have been popular in the United States as online marketplaces continue to gain in popularity, with feedback indicating people feel safer meeting in designated sites with good lighting and CCTV.
“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,” Commander Tully said.
“Police suggest meeting during daylight hours if possible and bringing someone with you to the exchange.”
Mooroolbark Police Station is located at 188 Hull Road Mooroolbark. The station’s phone number is (03) 9725 9999.
