Five weeks ago, the Advocate reported the problem of drunks scaring customers from shops in the street.

A group of between four and 12 regularly meet outside shops and drink throughout the day.

City Place should be a bustling strip-shopping thoroughfare. It backs onto Sunshine railway station, which is used by hundreds of people daily.

Instead, say traders, shoppers do not like coming to the street.

Following a violent incident at the Indian Supermarket, the traders are fed up.

One who did not want to be named said: "The drunks and drug-seekers are still a problem down here for sure and then we hear about this incident.

"On the same day the local drunks had a fight and one produced a knife.

"I have had a discussion with several other shop owners and due to police and council inefficiency and ineffectiveness they have suggested it may be prudent to take measures to protect themselves, such as self-defence and weapons training," the trader said.

"Although it is illegal to carry weapons, it probably wouldn't be as bad as getting your head bashed in with a hockey stick."

Another trader, who also did not want to be named, said something needed to be done.

"We don't want to be afraid in our own shops and we want people to enjoy coming and shopping here," she said.