HOBSONS Bay’s police force will be boosted following the allocation of 350 extra officers across the state.
Twenty officers have been allocated to division two of the north-west metropolitan region, which covers Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong and Wyndham.
The municipality is also set to receive its first allocation of protective services officers next month. Fifteen officers will patrol Laverton, Werribee and Hoppers Crossing railways stations from September 9.
Hobsons Bay’s Inspector Bill Mathers said: “Additional members for the division is good news. A divisional superintendent will be responsible for where additional numbers are placed.”
Another police spokesman said Hobsons Bay could expect even more officers in the next two years as the state government looked to honour its commitment to add 1700 police statewide by November 2014. Wyndham’s Acting Inspector Damien Christensen said local resources were also being supplemented by statewide units, such as the operations response unit, to tackle problem areas.
Deputy Commissioner Lucinda Nolan said the 350 extra officers had been allocated to communities where they would make a difference.
“This is about providing police numbers where they’re most needed, whether that’s in order to tackle statewide priorities that Victoria Police has identified, such as serious and organised crime and road safety, or local crimes impacting on individuals and communities like family violence and property damage.
“When we allocate our police numbers, we also look at emerging crime trends, growing populations and what the community concerns are.” -Laura Little
