Police are investigating after offenders allegedly used footpath pavers to smash the windows of 11 businesses along Ocean Beach Road in Sorrento.
The attack occurred at about 3am on Thursday, 16 July, causing significant damage across the shopping strip. No injuries were reported.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Stephen Batty publicly condemned the vandalism and said it had contacted the Sorrento Chamber of Commerce while assisting Victoria Police.
The Shire condemns this senseless act of vandalism. We have been in contact with the Chamber of Commerce and our thoughts are with the affected business owners who have had their premises damaged.
Mayor Stephen Batty
Council crews cleaned the area and replaced missing pavers to make the footpath safe.
The total cost of the damage remains unclear, and police have not publicly confirmed whether they have identified any suspects.
Read Mayor Batty’s full statement on the MPSC website.
Loose Pavers Used to Damaged Shopfront Windows
It is understood that the vandals used pavers from the nearby footpath to smash the shopfront windows. Picture: Sorrento News, used with permission.
Resident Raised Paver Concerns
The attack has also renewed concerns about the condition of the Ocean Beach Road footpath.
A local resident told STPL News she complained to the Shire about the pavers about two years ago because they were loose, uneven and slippery.
She said locals had raised concerns for about three years and claimed several people had slipped or tripped on the pavers.
Photographs supplied to STPL News and taken on Thursday show uneven and raised brickwork, missing pavers, yellow maintenance markings and several large slabs removed near the kerb following the vandalism.
The photographs show the footpath’s condition.
Mornington Peninsula Shire has not yet confirmed the earlier complaint, the alleged replacement commitment or whether it plans broader works along Ocean Beach Road.
STPL News has not independently verified the reported incidents or reviewed council records relating to the complaint.
The Shire has not publicly addressed the previous concerns or confirmed whether it plans further work beyond replacing the missing pavers.
Anyone with information about the vandalism can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.
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