By CHARLENE MACAULAY
AN INDEPENDENT study has revealed that night-time train commuters feel much safer when Protective Services Officers (PSOs) are manning their train station.
Market research consultants DBM carried out the study across a selection of stations patrolled by PSOs – including Yarraville, South Yarra, Noble Park, Epping, Frankston and Box Hill – to determine how effective the officers were in maintaining perceptions of public safety.
The study found:
– Night-time train users gave PSOs almost universal approval, with 94 per cent agreeing that PSOs are a good idea and 93 per cent keen to seek their help if they felt unsafe;
– 94 per cent of night-time train users reported having seen PSOs on patrol, and those commuters who knew that PSOs patrolled their station felt safer; and
– Two-thirds of parents said they would be happier about their children travelling by train at night, now that PSOs are patrolling.
PSOs guard the stations in pairs between 6pm and the last train and are equipped with the same weapons as police.
They also have the authority to shoot as a last resort.
There are currently 488 PSOs working at 79 train stations across the network.
Across the West, PSOs are stationed at Footscray, West Footscray, Yarraville, Tottenham, Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, Williams Landing, Sunshine, St Albans, Watergardens, Melton, Altona, Williamstown, Laverton and Newport.
Ginifer train station became the latest to staff PSOs, with officers starting their shift last Tuesday.
PSOs have issued more than 12,000 infringement notices for a wide range of offences, including being drunk in a public place, possessing alcohol, graffiti and weapons.
“We committed to making our railway stations places of safety, not fear, and these are extraordinary findings and testament to the Coalition Government’s commitment to introduce PSOs at metropolitan and major regional railway stations from 6pm until the last train every night of the year,” Police Minister Kim Wells said.
The State Government has promised to deploy 940 PSOs across Melbourne’s train stations by November 2014.
