Workers at a major Newcastle shopping centre say they face daily threats of violence, harassment, and antisocial behaviour, with a recent stabbing incident underscoring their growing fears for personal safety.
A culture of fear for shop staff
Employees at Marketown Shopping Centre in Newcastle West report that coming to work often means confronting aggressive and unpredictable behaviour. The situation reached a new level of concern following a violent stabbing in the Marketown West car park on Sunday, January 11, 2026. An 18-year-old man was hospitalised with wounds to his head and neck, and as of Monday afternoon, the perpetrator had not been arrested.
For long-term staff like Danielle Veness from Just Cuts, the incident was sadly unsurprising. Having worked at the centre for six years, she witnesses disruptive conduct almost daily. "I see it if not daily, at least every second day, someone coming through that's either yelling at someone or off their head on drugs," Ms Veness said. She described feeling unsafe even sitting outside during breaks and recalled a man who randomly slapped a stranger eating their lunch.
Break-ins, thefts, and a plea for security
The problems extend beyond public areas into the shops themselves. Khalil Sidi, manager of Newcastle Barber, has dealt with multiple break-ins, including the theft of an electric scooter and a charity box. In one frustrating incident, someone glued his shop's door lock shut. "Sometimes you call the cops and they don't show up," Mr Sidi revealed, summarising a common sentiment about a perceived lack of effective response.
This sentiment is echoed by the retail union. David Bliss, Newcastle secretary for the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association, stated that violence and abuse in shopping centres is an escalating trend across the Hunter region, Central Coast, and Newcastle. "No one deserves to feel unsafe, whether they're at work or simply out shopping," Mr Bliss asserted, calling for more preventative action.
Some business owners, like Vivian Nguyen of Golden Nails, have become resigned to the frequent shoplifting and disturbances occurring near her store opposite Woolworths. She expressed a desire for security guards to be granted greater powers to manage problematic individuals, believing it "would make it safer for everyone."
Response from centre owners and police
In response to the concerns, a spokesperson for Region Group, which owns Marketown, highlighted their existing security measures. These include extensive CCTV coverage and a dedicated on-site security team. The group stated they are working closely with NSW Police following the stabbing and continue to review security arrangements.
NSW Police confirmed their focus on reducing antisocial and illegal behaviour in the Newcastle West precinct. Their strategy involves regular high-visibility patrols and ongoing liaison with local businesses and community agencies. Police also emphasised their collaboration with Police Transport Command around key transport hubs like the Newcastle Interchange.
Despite the assurances, many workers remain anxious. One anonymous shop owner in Marketown West reported staff being harassed with thrown eggs and drink cans, leading one employee to quit over safety fears. While some, like butcher Tim Cooper, feel relatively safe inside the centre, they acknowledge the danger escalates outside, particularly at night. "I wouldn't come here at night," Mr Cooper said bluntly, pointing to increased incidents linked to drinking and loitering.
