By Afraa Kori
The last reported break-in on High Street was at the Berwick Inn Hotel on April 9, but Easter weekend proved businesses are still vulnerable.
Berwick Opportunity Shop Incorporated and Pickers Retro Haven in Beaconsfield were targeted and for both, it wasn’t the first time.
Both businesses shared CCTV footage on social media, with the footage from the Opportunity Shop gaining 1.6 million views. This sparked widespread community outrage and a strong call for a tougher stance on crime.
Despite having security cameras, a spokesperson for the Berwick Opportunity Shop expressed that the presence of cameras has not deterred break-ins, waste dumping, or shoplifting, which take both a financial and emotional toll on the store.
The opp shop donates to 40 organisations, including the fire brigade and many other groups around Casey and Cardinia, and assists those in need with free items.
However, the break-ins and thefts further strain their finances, as they need to cover the costs of repairs, replacing stolen items, and investing in extra security. With no money paid to volunteers, these additional expenses directly impact the amount they are able to donate.
“A few weeks ago as well, someone came in, changed clothes in the fitting room, and just walked out. You don’t approach people like that—you let them go. It’s not worth it. Sometimes we don’t even realise until later something’s missing,” the spokesperson said.
The shop has also had to deal with break-ins to their recycling shed, where they store clothing or shoes that they can’t sell but resell through other companies. Additionally, people often break items or leave rubbish at the back door instead of using council hard rubbish, which means “donations get torn apart overnight—it’s a mess.“
At Pickers Retro Haven, the damage is also significant. Store owner Nick Johnstone reported that thieves forced entry, damaging fences and stealing a range of items belonging to individual stallholders, many of whom rely on the Retro to sell their goods and support their livelihoods.
Although the stolen items weren’t owned by the business itself, the owner is now left to manage repairs, support affected stallholders, and keep operations running.
“It’s ridiculous. They cut the fence and stole things from the back. It’s just an inconvenience to everyone! I have to pay to fix the fence and replace those items,” Nick said.
“Is crime a big factor? It always is — but what stands out more is the brazenness of how it’s being done and why. Someone has to be showing these young people how to break in and pull this off.“
Nick’s business also strives to offer opportunities to people from diverse backgrounds and abilities, but the constant threat of theft is undermining that safe and inclusive environment.
One of the recently employed staff is 20-year-old Keely-Shaye Sanders, a survivor of last month’s hit-and-run incident in Beaconsfield, reported by the Gazette.
