Knife wielding, money grabbing thieves have left stallholders upset and disheartened that a family market has seemingly been hijacked by criminals.
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A mother of two young children was the latest victim of a heartless and opportunistic theft at the Rotary Club of South Ballarat Sunday market.
Danni-Elle Smith was manning her long-term stall at the Trash and Trivia Market in Ballarat on Sunday when she says a family managed to distract her and steal her $500 cash float.
The young mum sells coins. The stall has been operated by her and her father for seven years.
The $500 theft left Ms Smith without money to buy her grocery shopping or warm jumpers for her two infants.
Instead she has been forced to loan money from relatives who she will have to repay.
The theft comes just weeks after market organisers say a knife wielding patron walked through the market, threatening and even allegedly attacking a stallholder.
Market chairman Gerry Watt confirmed the knife attack and said one person was treated by paramedics “for minor injuries” that included a cut.
Mr Watt said citizens attempted to arrest the alleged offender, something stallholders were not encouraged to do.
“These incidents that we see at the market are very isolated. We had one attack at the market recently,” Mr Watt said.
“Since then we have asked police to come down, obviously they can’t all the time, but to provide assistance and security for the stallholders.”
Mr Watt said the “nasty knife attack” was a concern but maintained it was a one-off incident.
He said the rise of thefts and attacks was wide-spread throughout the city and not limited to the market.
“Unfortunately, these sorts of things happen at shopping centres often,” Mr Watt said.
Ms Smith’s father has manned a stall there for a number of years and until recently did not witness any crime. She said the recent events were concerning long-term stallholders.
“A couple have said if it happens again they will not come to the market anymore,” Ms Smith said.
Ballarat Police Sergeant Maree Purdon said she was not aware of issues at the market and could not provide any comment.
Mr Watt said stallholders were being encouraged to, if possible, lock away their valuables and keep their eye on their stalls.
“When we hear of these incidences we do offer to provide any assistance that we can. We don’t want people to take matters into their own hands.” Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.