By XAVIER SMERDON and ALESHA CAPONE
WYNDHAM is set for a safety boost with the allocation of more police and the arrival of armed Protective Service Officers at Werribee train station.
Victoria Police announced last week that Wyndham, Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong will share up to 20 new police officers, while PSO’s have been earmarked to patrol Werribee train station within weeks.
The PSO’s will patrol the station each night from 6 pm until the final train.
A Victoria Police spokesperson could not could not confirm the exact number of PSOs coming to Werribee or the date they would start, but said when they did arrive they would be fully trained.
“Werribee is not a training station,” the spokesperson told Star.
“So what usually happens is once the PSOs graduate from the police academy they have three months of on the job training on the city loop.
“Once those PSOs arrive in Werribee they will have had their full training.”
Transit Safety Division Acting Superintendent Charles Allen said the PSOs continued to be extremely well received by the community across the rail network.
“It’s great to see members of the public approach the PSOs during their shifts and thank them for the work they’re doing to help to keep their stations safe,” Acting Supt Allen said.
“We now have 116 PSOs working at 13 train stations across greater Melbourne.
“In the coming weeks we will deploy PSOs to locations such as Lilydale, Werribee, Laverton and Yarraville as we continue to create the country’s safest public transport system.”
Last Friday, Victoria Police announced a total of 350 extra police positions have been allocated across Victoria for 2012-2013.
Also in the West, the Brimbank and Melton municipalities will gain 23 new police.
Mayor Kim McAliney welcomed the news that Wyndham would soon see more police on the streets and PSOs at the train stations.
“It’s important that we’re getting our fair share and I’m happy with what is coming out from Victoria Police,” Cr McAliney said.
“They are definitely taking notice that we need more police in Wyndham.”
A statement from Victoria Police said Divisional Superintendents would decide how many officers would be allocated to each station in the western suburbs.
The statement said it was likely the new police would be assigned depending on where they would be most needed “to help tackle local crime issues”.
Deputy Commissioner Lucinda Nolan said 1200 extra police positions have been allocated across the state since early 2011.
The State Government has committed to recruiting an extra 1700 police by November 2014.
“This is about providing police numbers where they are most needed – whether that is in order to tackle state-wide priorities that Victoria Police has identified, such as serious and organised crime and road safety, or local crimes impacting on individuals and communities like family violence and property damage,” Deputy Commissioner Nolan said.
