PROTECTIVE Services Officers (PSO) have issued 166 infringement notices to commuters travelling from the Laverton and Newport train stations.
A year after the first deployment, Victoria Police data revealed that PSOs issued 110 infringement notices at the Laverton train station and 56 infringement notices at the Newport station from 22 February to 31 December 2012.
According to the data, open containers of alcohol were the most common offences at both stations, with 25 infringement notices issued at the Laverton train station and 18 at Newport.
Other offences at the Laverton station included 10 ticket infringement notices; four for being drunk in a public place; one for behaving in a riotous, indecent offensive or insulting manner and five for using indecent, obscene, offensive or threatening language.
At the Newport train station, a total of 16 ticket infringement notices were issued, including one for being drunk in a public place and another for using indecent, obscene, offensive or threatening language.
Hobsons Bay Police Inspector Richard Paterson said PSOs at Laverton and Newport railway stations and police are working closely together to significantly improve community safety on and around train stations.
“PSOs play a critical role in making sure we have a public transport system where the community is safe and feels safe,” Inspector Paterson said.
“I think their presence at Laverton and Newport is contributing to ensuring a safer community for Hobsons Bay.”
Inspector Paterson said many of the infringements detected by the PSOs were alcohol-related.
“Alcohol is a real driver of crime, particularly antisocial behaviour, and I think it’s important for police and PSOs to show a zero tolerance approach at these community locations.”
Inspector Paterson said the visible physical presence of PSOs has prevented incidents from occurring, which was a main goal.
“I am thrilled with their effectiveness within Hobsons Bay and look forward to PSOs working from our other railway stations.”
There are currently 258 PSOs working at 35 train stations across the network in metropolitan areas.
