Australian councils have begun installing designated safe zones aimed at protecting buyers and sellers using platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree. This initiative follows a spate of alleged assaults and robberies during online sales, many of which turn out to be scams.
Perth Councils Lead the Way
The City of Vincent and the City of Stirling, local governments in Perth, are creating designated spaces to make private sales safer. Both areas in Mount Lawley and Leederville have 24/7 CCTV and extensive lighting.
“One of the reasons why this [Leederville] site was chosen is because of its proximity to the ... town centre,” Vincent Mayor Alison Xamon told 7NEWS. “It’s right next to the train station and we’ve got people who are walking back and forth all the time, so a lot of passive surveillance.”
Legal Gaps and Police Limitations
Private sales are not covered under Australian consumer law, and police do not have the resources to investigate the growing number of scam sales. That all means it is up to individuals to keep themselves safe.
Series of Violent Incidents
The move by councils comes off the back of a series of alleged attacks linked to online sales. In one incident, a man was allegedly thrown from the verandah of his home, while in another a man was allegedly slashed during an iPhone sale.
Police Safety Tips
The advice from police is to never stage photos of items you are selling in front of your home or other identifiable locations, never provide your address, and choose a safe place to meet. Never go alone and make sure you are not followed home.
