By VANESSA VALENZUELA
PROTECTIVE Service Officers (PSOs) operating at Werribee, Hoppers Crossing and Laverton stations handed out 27 infringement notices for minor offences such as offensive behaviour during their first week of operation earlier this month.
Fifteen armed officers have rotated between the stations every night, patrolling the area from 6 pm until the final train.
Sergeant Troy Groves from Victoria Transit Police in Werribee told Star the officers had also arrested two people during the week, one for outstanding warrants and the other for drunken behaviour.
“More importantly they have assisted numerous members of the public with everything from walking an elderly couple to their car to assisting someone with a flat tyre,” Sgt Groves said.
Sergeant Alistar Cooke from the Victoria Police Transit Safety Division said the public could continue to expect more PSOs at stations across the state.
He said their presence would help reduce crime, violence and anti-social behaviour at train stations.
“When offenders realise they can’t get away with that sort of behaviours they have been able to get away with in the past, they won’t do it again,” he said.
Sgt Cooke said the allocation of police across Wyndham received a good response from the community.
“I thinks it’s been positively received. We are getting good feedback from police in the area, Metro Staff and also from the public,” he said.
Transit Safety Division Acting Superintendent Philip Green agreed, saying the PSOs had been very well received by commuters in Werribee, Laverton and Yarraville.
“The community has been pleased to see PSOs on the station platforms and they’re telling us they feel safer using the rail network at night.”
He said there are now 143 new PSOs working at 22 train stations across the Victorian rail network.
