SAFETY on the Frankston train line has hit the spotlight again, with claims that the latest crime statistics show high crime in the area despite security improvements including CCTV cameras and patrols.
Liberal police and community safety opposition spokesman Ed O’Donohue said data showed 31 offences were recorded in the two months between April and June this year, but that many of the crimes committed outside of protective services officer operating hours were still going “undetected”.
Statewide, there were 1629 crimes committed at metropolitan railway stations in the same period, the highest quarter of crime at metropolitan train stations since 2014.
Frankston’s train station has been the subject of safety concerns for years, with several initiatives such as piped music, improved lighting, CCTV in the X’Trapolis trains, and PSO patrols around stations aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour.
Commuters and business operators have long complained about brazen drug dealing and unruly youths hanging around the station and causing problems.
PSOs were introduced by the former Napthine government at Frankston train station in August 2013, and a wall of closed-circuit television screens at Frankston police station was installed this year in the latest strategy to fight street crime.
The CCTV cameras, capturing footage in high resolution to clearly identify offenders, focus in on crime as it happens at crime hot spots, such as the train station and shopping centres.
Any claims of a crime rise were questioned by Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke, who said there was “more work than ever” going on to redevelop the transit precinct and central Frankston as part of the state government’s $63 million upgrade to the area.
“This includes working with Frankston police to decrease negative behaviour and increase perceptions of safety in the area,” he said.
Mr O’Donohue’s claims came as an extra 20 police officers and 19 PSOs joined the state’s crime-fighting ranks.
Police graduates – including 10 men and 10 women – completed a 33-week training program which involved on-the-job training and placements at police stations.
The PSOs – 17 men and two women – completed a 12-week training course. PSOs now patrol 215 train stations, including Frankston, from 6pm until the last train every night.
The Victoria Police Academy will be running at capacity over the next 12 months with around 1000 police, PSOs and custody officers in training.
Victorian Police Minister Lisa Neville said the government has funded more than 1150 police personnel since November 2014.
“Victorians can get used to seeing more and more police hitting the beat as we ramp up recruitment at the Victoria Police Academy,” she said.
“That means more boots on the ground in our communities – fighting crime to keep our state safe.”
2 Comments
PSOS complete 26 weeks training before they are deployed not 12 weeks. Thank you.
PSOs were one of the biggest success stories at stations after 6pm but why can’t they ride the trains? Most incidents occur in carriages far from the station.