Crooks target CBD retailers

Fashion retailers in Sydney’s CBD are being warned to take extra precautions in the wake of a spate of recent robberies.

High-end fashion retailers are particularly at risk, say police, who are encouraging store managers to employ precautions such as bollards and CCTV.

The call comes as the Prada store in Castlereagh St was robbed again last week, the second time in four months.

Detective inspector Damian Loone from The Rocks Local Area Command said all fashion stores in the CBD should take precautions to prevent break-and-enters and ram-raids.

“Bollards at the front doors are always important because they prevent a vehicle being able to ram-raid the store,” said Det Insp Loone.

“Stores should also install high-quality CCTV cameras covering all of the entry and exit points,” he said.

“Also consider removing all the expensive items from the front window at the end of the day, as it provides an opportunity for thieves to see what they want.

“When people break into a store, they are in and out in less than a couple of minutes so if all the expensive items are locked up, they should be safe.”

Meanwhile, owners of convenience stores and food outlets in the CBD can breathe a little easier, with police arresting a man for a spate of armed robberies in the city centre.

Strike Force Vasta, comprising detectives from the Metropolitan Robbery Unit, was formed to investigate the robberies committed in December last year and January this year.

Officers arrested a Belgian national last Friday, alleging he had robbed numerous premises in the CBD over the past two months.

The man allegedly held up six separate businesses in George St and Wentworth Ave with knives between Thursday, December 6 and Friday, January 11.

The alleged perpetrator was remanded in custody without bail, and was due to appear in court at press time.