Albion railway station urgently needs better security and more police on the beat amid reports of “prolific” car theft and vandalism.
Kings Park commuter Jarryd Tuyau said the passenger side window of his car was broken on July 29. He believes it was one of 17 cars damaged over just two days at the station.
“When I spoke to the PSO [protective services officer] in the carpark, he told me mine was one of 10 cars that day,” he said.
“The male officer I reported it to [at Sunshine police station] mentioned that seven cars had been damaged the day before.” Mr Tuyau believes Albion is the worst station in the west for crime.
“Nothing seems to be being done about this, yet West Footscray and Sunshine stations have been rebuilt, filled with CCTV cameras and illuminated,” he said.
“How about an investment in the security of your passengers and their belongings at stations known for high crime rates?”
He was concerned that the station was so close to the Sunshine police station and yet there appeared to be no deterrent.
Mr Tuyau said earlier this year his partner’s car had been totally drained of fuel while parked at the station.
Sunshine police’s Inspector Dave Byrt could not verify the 17 break-ins but admitted Albion station was one of several “high-risk locations”.
“We have a significant focus on this station,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we can’t be there 24/7. We are there as often as we physically can be. It’s an area we prioritise.
“There’s no doubt that station carparks are an issue for us, and Albion has been an issue,” Inspector Byrt said.
He said two arrests had been made in late July in relation to car theft and damage, including one man whose crimes had been “prolific”.
“There were in excess of 100 charges for the one man, including theft of cars, breaking into cars and burglary,” he said. “It’s all petty crime, with some relating to incidents at Albion station.”
A state government spokesman said Public Transport Victoria had no immediate plans to upgrade Albion station, but would provide additional PSOs. As well, 62 transit police would form a roving force to patrol all train lines as part of a 24-hour public transport trial starting next year.
