Commuters will feel safer using the city’s public transport at night with the deployment of new Protective Services Officers (PSOs) to an extra five train stations.
Visiting Seaholme station near Altona, Police Minister Lisa Neville today congratulated the new team of PSOs on their deployment, as the rollout across Melbourne’s rail network continues.
The PSOs will keep commuters safer by tackling crime, violence and antisocial behaviour from 6pm until the last train every night.
Seaholme is one of five stations to receive new PSOs, along with Royal Park, Heyington, Wattle Glen and East Camberwell.
PSOs currently patrol 208 stations across Victoria. They will be deployed at 215 railway stations by the end of June this year. Officers will be deployed to the final and 216th station, Caroline Springs, as soon as it is operational.
Since their initial deployment, PSOs have issued more than 57,000 infringement notices to people for a range of offences, including anti-social behaviour, graffiti and weapons possession.
The Andrew Labor Government has also funded an additional 109 PSOs and 62 Transit Police to support the Night Network trial of 24-hour public transport on weekends during 2016.
This investment in commuter safety is part of the Labor Government’s commitment to give police the resources they need to tackle crime and keep Victorians safe.
As part of the $596 million Public Safety Package announced in the Victorian Budget 2016/17, Victoria Police will receive 406 new sworn officers and 52 support personnel.
Since November 2014 the Labor Government has funded 1156 new police personnel.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Lisa Neville
“Every Victorian has the right to feel safe using our city’s public transport network and these new Protective Services Officers will play a critical role.”
“They will patrol stations from 6pm every night, working to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour to keep commuters safe.”
“Soon we will have PSOs deployed at 216 stations across the state, adding to our promise to give police the resources they need.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020