By CHARLENE MACAULAY
COMMUTERS can now request help to get to their cars safely in the dark.
Police and Emergency Services Minister Kim Wells last week confirmed that Protective Service Officers (PSOs) would escort – and had previously escorted – passengers to train station car parks upon request.
“Where a commuter seeks an escort to his or her car, the PSO will escort them unless they are tending to a situation on the platform that requires PSO intervention,” Mr Wells said.
There are now 433 PSOs deployed to 68 stations across Melbourne – including Footscray and Yarraville – from 6pm until after the last train every night of the week.
The officers are equipped with the same weapons as police and have the authority to shoot as a last resort.
They have issued more than 12,000 infringement notices for a wide range of offences, including public drunkenness, possession of alcohol, graffiti and possession of weapons.
The State Government has promised to deploy 940 PSOs across Melbourne’s train stations by November 2014.
The news comes a week after a Star report revealed a spate of evening robberies near train stations in the past month.
Inspector Tony Long told Star that at least four robberies against people leaving the Tottenham and West Footscray train stations have been recorded in recent weeks.
The attacks all occurred in the evenings and the offenders targeted people that were talking on their mobile phones or listening to music on iPods or other devices.
Insp Long has called on commuters to keep their valuables secure in a pocket or bag.
Police are urging anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
