WERRIBEE line commuters have welcomed the addition of armed guards patrolling train stations at night, police say.
Squads of protective services officers began patrolling Werribee, Laverton and Yarraville earlier this month, with Hoppers Crossing added to the network on Tuesday last week.
PSOs are deployed from 6pm until the last train every night, as Victoria Police continues rolling out the officers to metro and regional centres.
Acting Superintendent Phillip Green said the PSOs had been “well received” by commuters at Laverton, Werribee and Yarraville.
“The community has been pleased to see the PSOs on the platforms and are telling us they feel safer using the rail network at night.”
He said there were 143 PSOs working at 20 train stations across the state.
Police spokeswoman Kelly Yates said more than 3000 fines resulting from making arrests and detecting breaches of bail had been issued by PSOs since being deployed across Melbourne.
“These were for a range of offences including being drunk in a public place, smoking or possessing alcohol,” she said.
A further 800 PSOs are needed for the state government to be able to deliver on its election promise of 940 PSOs across Victoria.
Opposition MP Jaala Pulford criticised the government’s delay in rolling out the PSOs. “[Police Minister Peter Ryan] has managed to achieve none of his own timelines after the recruitment process stalled. The policy is now over time and over budget.” —Nick Toscano
