Transcript - Summary

Victoria Police have announced a major crack down on crime at train stations in response to a rise in street robberies across Melbourne.

Chief Commissioner Simon Overland today announced the high-visibility operations targeting a number of trouble spots in and around Sunshine, St Albans, Thomastown and the Clayton and Dandenong area.

Uniform police, Transit members, the Dog Squad, Mounted Branch and Air-Wing will patrol in and around the stations in addition to traffic operations members and booze buses, adding to the saturation affect.

Mr Overland said this operation was the latest in a range of initiatives already underway to target the sharp rise in street level robberies.

He said it was unfortunate that international students, particularly Indian students, had been caught up in the broader issue of street robberies.

He felt it timely that Victoria Police take these additional steps and send a strong message to offenders that their actions will not be tolerated.

"We have already been doing a lot of work to tackle the growing trend of street robberies over the past 18 months.

We have certainly not been sitting on our hands with this issue and this increased enforcement will further bolster our already concerted efforts," Mr Overland said.

"This is not something new but instead an enhanced approach."

The high-visibility operation will be based on the successful Safe Streets Task Force model which has seen police flood the streets of Melbourne to tackle alcohol related violence.

It will also mirror operations recently conducted in Melbourne's west to target a rise in crime and robberies.

The most recent operations resulted in 75 undercover and uniform police flooding the streets of Sunshine and St Albans.

The two day operation resulted in seven arrests and a number of weapons seized.

Three previous operations resulted in the arrest of about 40 people for around 70 offences including robbery, serious assault and possession of regulated weapons.

Mr Overland said whilst initial operations would be highly visible, further down the track police would be using covert means to detect and apprehend offenders.

"This initiative will be strongly driven by intelligence. To begin with we want to send a clear message that we and the community have had enough of these unacceptable crimes.

You will see us in uniform and know we are out there actively detecting offences.

"In the months to follow we will also be using undercover means to tackle the issue and you won't see us at work until you come to our attention."

Despite the heightened police focus, Mr Overland said it was important to note the rise in robberies, particularly involving Indian students, was not just a police issue.

"We have dedicated an incredible amount of time, resources and effort to tackling this problem over the past 18 months and it is certainly not something we have ignored," Mr Overland said.

"Australia and Victoria in particular has a great history of welcoming people from a range of countries and backgrounds.

"They have contributed to our culture in a positive way, but it has not been without its challenges.

"We know for example, that police here in Victoria operate very differently to police in some other countries.

"That is why we have worked closely with the multicultural communities to find ways of breaking down barriers.

"However, our response is only part of the solution. What we know is that students are coming here with very little money and are working incredibly hard to make ends meet and put themselves through university.

"Many students are experiencing issues with housing, residency and accessing support and welfare services and are working long hours and often multiple jobs to make enough money to live.

"Quite often they are catching trains home from work late in the evening as many do not have access to cars. They are often travelling alone and this is leaving them vulnerable to crime."

Mr Overland said Victoria Police is aware that unfortunately some students are being exploited by smaller, less recognised educational institutions and employers who are taking advantage of their circumstances and this was exacerbated the issue.

"I know this is something that both the State and Federal Governments are looking at to address these core areas of concern as this is not just about safety but the broader issue of student welfare."

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