Sunshine station and the surrounding precinct need a stronger officer presence to keep the local community safe, according to Laverton MP Sarah Connolly.
Ms Connolly is calling for Sunshine station to be included in a new state government scheme targeting crime at train stations and shopping centres by deploying more Protective Service Officers (PSOs) to high and medium-risk areas.
In a letter to Police and Community Safety Minister Anthony Carbines, Ms Connolly said she believes the station would greatly benefit from a constant PSO presence under the new scheme.
“Sunshine station is a major transport interchange in Melbourne’s west and is set to become a major Superhub with Metro Tunnel, Melbourne Airport Rail, and future projects,” Ms Connolly said.
“This station is frequented by thousands of commuters daily and has unfortunately seen an increase in criminal incidents over the past few years, including an incident that resulted in the death of a school student.”
As part of the scheme, to be rolled out this year, PSOs will be deployed to areas according to crime data and intelligence, potentially resulting in longer coverage at stations if needed.
Stations deemed ‘high-risk’ will have a static PSO presence from 9am until the last service, extended from 6pm.
Ms Connolly asked that Sunshine station be strongly considered for the highest designation.
“So that once this scheme commences, there is a regular PSO presence at the station and the surrounding precinct at all times of the day,” she said.
Under the scheme, PSOs will also travel on trains in addition to remaining on station platforms.
Victoria Police is responsible for determining the deployment of PSOs to certain locations.
A police spokesperson said the Sunshine precinct is patrolled by local police every day and night, and that PSOs currently operate in the area at night.
Victoria Police did not say whether it would extend PSO coverage at Sunshine Station throughout the day, but said more information on which stations would receive additional PSOs would be released in the first half of this year.
Crime in the Sunshine area remains steady, increasing by one per cent on the year prior, according to police.
