- Published:
- Thursday, 4 August 2016
A new Victoria Police Facebook page will connect residents in Melbourne’s western suburbs directly with local police to help fight crime and build community confidence.
Minister for Police Lisa Neville today joined Member for Kororoit Marlene Kairouz and senior police to officially launch Eyewatch Melton – an open forum for residents to discuss crime and community safety issues, while helping police track down offenders.
It covers the Melton Police Service Area – which includes Melton, Caroline Springs, Diggers Rest and the surrounding suburbs – and follows strong campaigning by local MPs and residents to keep communities up-to-date about crime and local police operations.
There are now 20 Eyewatch pages active across the state, including in nearby Brimbank and Wyndham. An effective crime-fighting tool, the pages have led to arrests and the recovery of stolen property.
Ms Neville met with residents at Caroline Springs Police Station to discuss policing and community safety issues, highlighting the critical work being done by Victoria Police’s Operation Cosmas.
Police in the area are working around the clock to fight and prevent crime, with a strong focus on aggravated burglaries, theft of motor vehicle and other high-volume crimes.
Additional Operational Response Unit (ORU) teams have been deployed into areas including Caroline Springs, while police are also utilising the Air-Wing unit for surveillance.
Victoria Police has boosted its response to violent crime. In May, Operation Cosmas began working to prevent, deter and investigate aggravated burglaries and carjackings. The taskforce has made more than 100 arrests.
Many of the ringleaders of violent crime are on remand and facing serious charges, while police are noticing a reduction in offences in some areas.
The Andrews Labor Government is giving police the resources and powers they need to keep Victorians safe. Thanks to the $596 million Public Safety Package announced in the Victorian Budget 2016/17, Victoria Police will soon have an extra 406 sworn police officers, mobile technology and other equipment.
Of the new officers funded, 300 frontline police will be deployed across Victoria, including in Melbourne’s western suburbs, to respond to local crime issues and the increased demand for police.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Lisa Neville
“We’ve heard loud and clear the concerns of residents in Melbourne’s west; that’s why a digital platform like Eyewatch Melton is so important.”
“This is the result of great collaboration between residents, local MPs and police to boost community safety.”
Quote attributable to Member for Kororoit Marlene Kairouz
“Thanks to Eyewatch, Kororiot residents can feel safer with a dedicated Facebook page to chat about their concerns and help police fight crime.”