Mandurah police are asking for information from the public after a local café employee was allegedly threatened with a syringe last week.
The Mandurah Mail has reported on the serious issue of assaults on retail staff in recent months, with a string of incidents and a group of Greenfields employees speaking out about their concerns.
Mandurah Police Senior Sergeant Darren Hart said two customers entered Mataya Eatery on Sholl Street, about 1pm on May 14.
One of the customers left the store without paying for a drink.
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Senior Sergeant Hart said the other customer became verbally abusive towards a staff member before threatening the worker with a syringe.
Police attended the incident shortly after and arrested a 33-year-old Mandurah man at the scene, who received a stealing infringement.
Senior Sergeant Hart said police were looking for the man who produced the syringe. He was described as 170 to 180 centimetres in height, 30 to 35 years old, with a slim build and dark hair.
Senior Sergeant Hart said the incident was "concerning".
"We are making every effort to speak with this person and get them before the courts," he said.
A Mataya Eatery spokeswoman said she would not comment on the incident, but the business made a statement last week on their Facebook page.
"Unfortunately there is a small minority of our awesome hood who have the ability to cause the majority of the disturbance around town," the post said.
"We as a team stand together and will never allow anyone to feel uncomfortable or intimidated especially as a guest in our space or an employee in their work place."
If you can help, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Do you have a comment on the issue? Email a Letter to the Editor to editor.mandurahmail@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
Carla Hildebrandt
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
