‘We’re Taking Matters into Our Own Hands’: Desperate Ballarat Residents Turn to Private Security as Crime Rates Soar
- Private security firm Z Protection Services launches night-time patrols in Ballarat to curb rising crime rates
- Residents are seeking extra protection as crime incidents surge 11.7% in the past year, with a per capita rate significantly higher than the state average
- Police urge caution, warning residents not to take the law into their own hands, but security experts say patrols can be an effective deterrent
- Ballarat is not alone, with other Victorian communities also turning to private security solutions to combat crime
The streets of Ballarat are becoming increasingly desperate, with residents taking matters into their own hands as crime rates continue to skyrocket.
In a bid to reclaim their city, one private security firm has launched night-time patrols, targeting residential areas and promising to deter would-be offenders.
Z Protection Services’ initiative comes as the latest crime data reveals a staggering 11.7% increase in incidents over the past 12 months, with Ballarat’s per capita crime rate sitting at a whopping 9,000 crimes per 100,000 people – significantly higher than the state average.
The company’s business operations manager, Gerard Faulkner, says the goal is to prevent crime before it happens. “If someone is thinking of doing the wrong thing, they should think twice, they should leave,” he explains.
Faulkner emphasizes that the private patrols are not intended to replace police operations, but rather to free up resources for more serious offences.
“If a crime is actively happening, security can’t do anything about it, so [the police] can be called straight away.” The move is not unprecedented, with Wyndham Council funding security patrols in Truganina, Melbourne’s west, in 2025.
Victoria Police has urged residents to exercise caution, warning against taking the law into their own hands.
“While security patrols may serve as a deterrent for would-be offenders, we would still encourage security workers and residents not to take matters into their own hands,” a spokesperson said.
Detective Inspector Andrew Brady, of Ballarat division, acknowledges the community’s concerns but stresses the importance of relying on police to handle crime. “I urge them not to [take matters into their own hands], we’re handling the high crime rate,” he said.
However, security experts argue that patrols can be an effective deterrent, particularly when combined with CCTV systems. Graeme Simpfendorfer, a specialist investigator with Peregrine Investigations and former Victoria Police detective, notes that a physical presence can turn offenders away.
“It just depends on how determined these offenders are in what they want to achieve.” Simpfendorfer suggests that patrols may offer a sense of peace of mind for concerned residents, especially victims of crime.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The rise of private security patrols in Ballarat and other Victorian communities raises important questions about the state of law enforcement and the role of private companies in maintaining public safety.
As crime rates continue to climb, it’s clear that traditional policing strategies are not enough.
The use of private security services may be seen as a stopgap measure, but it also highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to crime prevention.
With the Victorian government’s latest crime data revealing a significant increase in crime incidents, it’s time for policymakers to rethink their strategies and consider the potential benefits of partnering with private security firms to keep communities safe.
Security analysts say the trend towards private security solutions is a symptom of a broader issue – a lack of trust in the ability of law enforcement to effectively address crime.
As one security expert notes, “When people feel like the police can’t protect them, they’ll take matters into their own hands.
It’s a sign of a system that’s not working.” The rise of private security patrols in Ballarat serves as a wake-up call for policymakers to re-examine their approach to crime prevention and consider the potential benefits of collaboration between public and private sectors.
Law enforcement insiders warn that the proliferation of private security services may create new challenges, such as inconsistencies in training and standards. However, industry observers believe that with proper regulation and oversight, private security firms can play a valuable role in supporting public safety efforts.
As the situation in Ballarat continues to unfold, one thing is clear – the need for effective crime prevention strategies has never been more pressing.
