Coles in Alice Springs has resorted to installing high-security steel roller doors to prevent robberies amid an ongoing crime epidemic in the Northern Territory.
Community group Action for Alice shared a video from Evolve Electrical NT on Sunday showing the newly installed shutters.
Coles was one of the last companies to install the doors in Alice Springs' CBD, which has recently been nicknamed 'Roller Shutter City'.
The drastic measure comes as residents continue to call for government intervention as the city's crime wave worsens.
Locals claim that gangs of violent youths, car thefts, burglaries and robberies have become a daily occurrence.
Businesses in the Alice Springs CBD have been forced to take new security measures as crime in the area continues (Photo: A business attack in Alice Springs last Tuesday)
As companies continue to improve security, commentators were not surprised by Coles' latest installation.
“The little darlings will take it as a challenge,” one person wrote.
'I always leave the car running, run inside and get my bread and milk. My way of doing things has changed,” said another.
'So sad, especially when the company has to bear the costs through no fault of its own! The price of doing business in this city,” wrote a third.
“I don't even think prison has this kind of security,” wrote another.
Evolve Electrical responded to the comments, writing: “Alice is still a great city, but something needs to be done.
“We are passionate about helping business owners and homeowners protect their assets in times like these.
'Roller shutters and security lighting seem to be a priority for our customers at the moment.'
A Coles spokesperson said the security shutters were installed to help prevent theft.
“Coles has a range of security measures in place to reduce theft from our stores, including CCTV and electronic article surveillance, and in Alice Springs we have installed these shutters in line with other businesses in the area,” they said.
Coles Alice Springs installed new steel roller doors (above) last week to help prevent burglaries
Residents say car thefts and gangs of youths roaming the streets at night have become the new norm (photo, cars broken into this month)
Alice Springs was once a top destination for tourists wanting to see one of Australia's most iconic landmarks and indigenous heritage sites, Uluru.
However, in recent years the city has turned into a 'war zone', driving away tourists and locals alike.
Media coverage of the spate of violent crimes in Alice Springs was enough to attract a visit from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
In January, Albanese promised residents they would take action “as soon as possible” but admitted there were no “easy, one-size-fits-all solutions.”
'It's not just about alcohol. “It's about jobs, it's about service delivery, it's about getting workers on site,” he said.
Action for Alice claims little has actually changed in the outback town, despite claims of progress by the NT government and police.
NT Police claimed crime recorded in Alice Springs in May had fallen to its lowest level in four years.
“The reality is it gives you an opportunity to recapture and regroup,” said Deputy Commissioner Murray Smallpage.
“There's a lot of other excellent work that gives us some more opportunities that we can dive back into when we get some free time.
'Is it a tactic? Is it the weather? Are they alcohol reduction strategies? It's not clear at this point.
“But the reality is that it's really good news for the community of Alice Springs, regardless of how we got there.”
Stephen Halleron of Evolve Electrical said companies are still scrambling to install new security measures.
Locals say little has changed in Alice Springs since Anthony Albanese visited in January and promised they would take action 'as soon as possible' (Photo: A crashed car left the CBD earlier this month)
Stephen Halleron of Evolve Electrical said he is increasingly installing new security measures for businesses around Alice Springs as they try to limit damage from vandals (sample above from Monday)
“Right now, with crime on the rise, we will see more and more of these shutters needed in residential and commercial buildings in the coming years,” he said. news.com.ayou.
'Most of our work stems from the increase in crime (and demand for) roller shutters, roller gates, security lighting and so on.'
He added that locals feel “we have been let down” because Alice Springs has become “a failed system”.
“The city is still hurting…but nothing is being reported anymore. “Nothing is being done,” he said.