A safer place to sell stuff online

THE Ballarat police station is now serving as a safe space to exchange goods listed on online marketplaces.

The site is one of 35 stations operating 24 hours a day across Victoria to have an established safe exchange zone with the aim of providing a more secure alternative to meeting strangers than at homes, carparks, or other public spaces.

The statewide initiative was announced late last month in response to an estimated increase in thefts during lockdown as a result of online trading.

Victoria Police Commander, Tim Tully, encouraged buyers and sellers to continue to be cautious when meeting with strangers at the exchange sites.

“While the overall number of assaults, thefts and robberies connected to online exchanges is low, we don’t want to see any occur,” he said.

“With the popularity of buying and selling items via online marketplaces continuing to grow, this initiative is all about police getting on the front foot to ensure an emerging crime theme doesn’t become an embedded trend.

“While these sites are a safer alternative than meeting someone at your home or in a dimly lit area with no CCTV, we still encourage people to consider the risks of meeting a person they’ve never met before.

“Police suggest meeting during daylight hours if possible and bringing someone with you to the exchange.”

Buyers and sellers can find the safe exchange site located outside the station, with clear signage, CCTV coverage and lighting.

The initiative has been introduced following trialling held at several 24-hour police stations in northeast Melbourne in mid-2022.

It’s estimated thefts connected to online exchanges decreased in the area during this period.