The Greek community of Oakleigh, Clayton and Ormond have been given additional security after the Victorian Government deployed Protective Service Officers (PSOs) this week.
Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu said with the addition of PSOs at Ormond, Clayton and Oakleigh there would be a total of 35 stations where PSOs are in operation every night from 6:00 pm until the last train.
“There are now 278 PSOs working at these stations and we are on track to have 940 PSOs deployed across the network by November next year,” Mr Baillieu said.
“The Victorian Coalition Government is delivering on its election commitment to tackling crime, violence and anti-social behaviour on and around train stations.
“There has been an overwhelmingly positive response from the communities that have already benefitted from having PSOs at their stations.
“Commuters and small businesses have said very clearly that there has been a reduction in crime, a reduction in violence, and a reduction in anti-social behaviour where PSOs are deployed at their local train station,” Mr Baillieu said.
The National Survey of Community Satisfaction with Policing last year found the percentage of people who now feel safe using public transport at night has increased.
Public Transport Victoria’s most recent survey (for the July-September 2012 quarter) found feelings of personal security rose from 63.6 per cent to 67.2 per cent.
The Annual Report on Government Services (ROGS) prepared by the Productivity Commission also found that perceptions of safety on public transport at night had risen after three years of decline.
A Department of Justice Survey last year found 80 per cent of travellers thought PSOs were a good idea.
Public Transport Victoria figures show incidents of graffiti have also fallen from a rolling average of nearly 60 a month in mid-2011 to just 18 now.
Mr Baillieu said the Victoria Police PSO recruitment campaign ‘Are you ready to stand out?’ launched three weeks ago is delivering excellent results.
“The opportunity to serve as a PSO on train stations is a new career opportunity for Victorians and it is part of new era in Victoria, where train stations are places of safety rather than places of fear,” Mr Baillieu said.