Greater police presence expected after an extra 15 officers are assigned to Hume

MORE police officers will hit Hume streets after the area was classified as of “greatest need” for resources to keep crime under control.

Hume Inspector Anthony Brown has welcomed the additional police resources.

HUME has been classified as an area of “greatest need” for policing resources with extra officers to be deployed to help keep crime under control.

The community can expect to see an increased police presence in the coming months after an extra 15 officers were assigned to the region.

The Broadmeadows station has also been allocated three family violence specialists.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton announced last week 300 police officers would be assigned to “areas of greatest need” over 12 months starting from May.

Hume, Geelong, Wyndham, Melton and Cardinia received the biggest resourcing boost.

It’s the second time Victoria Police have calculated where services are needed based on their staff allocation model, which takes into account calls for help, reported crime, event management and traffic incidents, and the time required to provide these services.

Hume Inspector Anthony Brown said the additional resources would help expand and improve the police service. Insp Brown said he expected the crime rate to continue its downward trend given the boost.

The latest crime statistics show Hume has recorded its biggest annual crime drop in at least a decade. Overall offences are down by 11.4 per cent from 23,377 to 20,704 in the 12 months to September.

Meanwhile, the State Opposition has revealed plans to set up a cop shop at Craigieburn Central if elected in November.

A Liberal National government would establish 12 Victoria Police shopfronts in the largest and busiest shopping hubs across Melbourne and Geelong.

Craigieburn Central spokesman Mathew Charles said they were open to working with Victoria Police on initiatives to enhance safety and livability.