PSOs arrive at Mont Albert Station
Commuters using Mont Albert Railway Station will be safer at night in future with the deployment of Protective Services Officers, Member for Box Hill Robert Clark MP said today.
Mr Clark said the PSOs, who will patrol the station from tomorrow onwards, follow previous deployments at railway stations including Box Hill, Blackburn, Mitcham and Nunawading.
“The presence of PSOs from 6pm every night will ensure commuters can be safer at Mont Albert station and will deter people from causing trouble,” Mr Clark said.
“The PSOs will patrol the train platform, car parks and surrounds to prevent anti-social behaviour, property damage, and alcohol and transport related crime.
“PSOs have been working on the public transport network since February 2012, with a total of 634 now deployed across 85 stations from 6pm until after the last train at night.”
PSOs have the power to detain anyone who threatens public safety, confiscate weapons and issue fines, and have issued more than 20,000 infringement notices to date for a wide range of offences, including being drunk in a public place, possessing alcohol, graffiti and possession of weapons.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Kim Wells said the Victorian Coalition Government had committed to recruiting and deploying 940 PSOs to the rail network as part of a $212 million investment.
“When deployment is fully completed, rail stations across the network will be protected from criminal activity and threatening behaviour every night from 6pm until after the last train,” Mr Wells said.
“As well as 940 PSOs, an additional 1,700 frontline police officers are being recruited, which represents the largest single law enforcement recruitment exercise in Victoria’s history.”
Mr Clark said the Victoria Police PSO recruitment campaign ‘Are you ready to stand out?’ had delivered excellent results.
“With 33 squads of PSOs now graduated from the Victoria Police Academy, I urge anyone considering a career as a PSO to visit the Victoria Police website and register for an information session,” Mr Clark said.