Concerns have been raised about protective service officers assigned to Seaholme train station vanishing.
Police Minister Lisa Neville visited Seaholme to congratulate the new team of PSOs on their deployment last May from 6pm to the last train.
But nearby resident and frequent commuter Maree Maxfield claims there have been none in recent times and that her daughter had feared for her safety because of an incident involving a man on the platform.
She said a police officer had advised her that the PSOs could be redeployed anywhere and that just because the government had assigned them to a station, didn’t mean that they would be there.
“They said they could be called anywhere and would just leave the station,” Ms Maxfield said. “Because our station was quiet, chances are they would be sent to a different one quite often.
“I didn’t think that was the idea of the PSO being assigned to stations that was put forward by the government. I said that it compromised [my daughter’s] safety when she thought she was coming home to a station where there were PSOs when she got off.”
Victoria Police spokeswoman Sara-Jane Delaney said PSOs were still stationed at Seaholme station from 6pm until the last train.
“If you don’t see the PSOs, they could be undertaking a range of duties, such as patrolling the carpark or handing over persons to be processed by police officers,” she said.
“On occasion, there is a possibility that other priorities, such as increased patronage at Altona railway station in hot weather and unplanned leave such as sick leave, may restrict PSO availability at Seaholme.”
Altona Loop Group spokeswoman Jennifer Williams said all public transport users should feel safe, particularly at night.
“There should be a staff presence at stations across the network, including Seaholme station,” she said.
