Veteran television and radio commentator Peter Ford says he is leaving Victoria after a lifetime in Melbourne, citing rising crime and a sense that the city he once loved has become “too unpleasant and too dangerous.”
After nearly 40 years as one of Australia’s best-known entertainment reporters, Ford told Nine’s Neil Mitchell Asks Why podcast that he has lost faith in Melbourne’s safety and future, despite assurances from the state government.
“I just don’t want to live here anymore. Why? I’m just disgusted by what’s happening here,” Ford said.
“I’ve had issues, security issues at my own home. I won’t go into details. But five break-ins this year. They got into the house once, but there were five attempts.
“And I have been concerned about security prior to that anyway. Every day you pick up the paper, there’s stories about machetes, and I just can’t live here anymore.”
Ford, who owns both a suburban home and a holiday property outside Melbourne, said he plans to sell both and move interstate, though he has not yet chosen where.
He added that crime was not his only concern.
“I had a homeless person living 20 feet from my bedroom window until quite recently, and which wouldn’t be so bad, except he would then scream out in the middle of the night,” Ford explained.
“For whatever reason, my little area, which was a very lovely suburb, the word’s got out that this is a great place to go and, you know, shoot up drugs or whatever. So the time has come for a fresh start.”
Ford said he no longer sees Melbourne as the “Garden City” it once was.
“I don’t see the problems in Melbourne turning around very quickly,” he said.
“I’m not going to get political because that’s not my domain. But I’m very saddened by every single day, by the terrible things I’m reading that are happening in Melbourne. And I just don’t want to live here anymore.”
While acknowledging his privilege in being able to move, Ford said the decision was made with sadness.
“Of course, I’m lucky to have that option. And that’s what I’m going to utilise,” he said.
“I will always have very fond memories of Melbourne. It’s still a beautiful city, but I think we’re beset with such problems now that cannot be turned around overnight. You know, maybe ten years. And I’ll be reading about the improvements in my nursing home somewhere.”
Ford’s remarks come amid a sharp rise in crime across Victoria.
According to the latest figures to June, aggravated burglaries are up 22 per cent, with 7,856 incidents recorded – equating to an estimated 32,000 victims.
Youth crime rose by nearly 18 per cent, with 24,550 offences committed by 10- to 17-year-olds. Car thefts increased 42 per cent, theft from cars 39 per cent, and retail crime 27 per cent.
In total, there were 483,583 criminal incidents over the past year, up 18.3 per cent – the highest figure in two decades.
The state opposition says that equates to a crime occurring every 49.4 seconds.
Recent high-profile incidents have heightened public concern, including an aggravated burglary at the home of former AFL premiership coach Mick Malthouse and his wife.
Police have charged a suspect, and it was reported that Malthouse used an exercise bar to defend himself.
Some commentators and politicians have dismissed fears as exaggerated, but others say perception is powerful when residents are locking their doors at night.
Images: Nine
