Calls for more CCTV on trams after multiple attacks on Melbourne trams

Furious victims of brutal assaults on Melbourne’s trams say it’s a disgrace not every tram is equipped with CCTV, as attacks on the public transport rise by 43 per cent.

Sarah Timms is demanding CCTV be installed on every Melbourne tram after a spate of recent assaults Picture: Wayne Taylor

Assaults on and around trams have risen by 43 per cent year on year but despite the massive increase, more than two-thirds of Melbourne’s trams remain without CCTV cameras.

A Herald Sun analysis of Melbourne’s tram network revealed almost 300 of the city’s 480 trams were not equipped with security cameras — a figure terrified victims say is unacceptable.

There were 245 assault related offences recorded on trams or at tram stops in 2024, compared to 171 in 2023, according to the latest figures from Crime Statistics Victoria.

While new trams like the C2, D and E class models all have CCTV installed, the most common B-Class and Z-Class trams — built before 2001 — do not have cameras.

In contrast, all metropolitan railway stations and train carriages are equipped with CCTV.

The routes with no cameras are 1, 3, 12, 57, 64, 67 and 82, while those who travel on routes 5, 6, 16, 19, 48, 58 and 72 have some trams with and some trams without CCTV.

Brunswick woman Sarah Timms was recently assaulted by an “agitated and aggressive man” on a number 19 tram on her way home from work as a nurse.

She said it was “frightening” to discover she would have little luck in being able to identify her attacker due to there not being any CCTV onboard.

“We need CCTV footage to prove (the attack) and to charge them,” she said.

“If something happened on the tram, you can’t take them to court because there is no proof.

“Everybody should be able to sit on public transport as is their right and feel safe.

“I don’t understand why something is not being done about it.”

Sarah Timms says CCTV needs to be installed in every Melbourne tram after a spate of vicious attacks. Picture: Wayne Taylor

It comes as a Coburg North woman launched a petition which called for every tram to have CCTV installed after she was assaulted on a Sydney Rd tram in December last year.

“We simply cannot afford not to have CCTV available on every single tram that is operated in Melbourne,” the petition says.

A police spokesman said the incident was under investigation.

“It is believed that an unknown male offender assaulted a woman on tram route 19, outbound on Sydney Rd,” he said.

“The offender disembarked the tram near the intersection of Munro St and Sydney Rd in Coburg.”

Maribyrnong woman Caitlin Morrison, 47, has not stepped foot on a tram since she was viciously assaulted on route 57 in a random attack in April 2023.

She was taken to hospital with multiple fractures to skull and orbital bone, as well as suffering damage to her eyes.

She said people attacked on trams felt “helpless” afterwards because of the lack of security cameras on board.

“Does it actually take someone to get murdered for authorities to take action faster?” she said.

“It makes you feel incredibly unimportant (to know nothing can be done).”

Caitlin Morrison, 45, was assaulted on a Melbourne tram on April 22, 2023 in a random attack. Picture: Supplied

Former tram driver Glenda Brookes – who drove the 57, 58, 59 and 82 trams – said security issues like a lack of CCTV were raised “all the time” by drivers.

“There’s so much violence on trams, not just to other passengers but to drivers as well. I can’t tell you how many times I was threatened,” she said.

“None of the trams (I drove) had cameras, absolutely none of them did.

“I had to get the police to come to one of my trams one night because there was a woman who pulled out a knife and was violently stabbing the seat next to her. The first thing the police ask is if we have CCTV which we don’t.

“You’re sitting there as a driver with your back to these people completely exposed when we’re focusing on the road in front of us.”

Caitlin Morrison was assaulted on a Melbourne tram. She is now campaigning for CCTV on trams across Melbourne. Picture: Tony Gough

Public Transport Users Association president Daniel Bowen said it was “very concerning” that victims were unable to get evidence of assaults on trams.

“The government should look at what they can do to increase the amount of CCTV on trams. In contrast, it’s installed on all trains, and most of the bus fleet, if not all the bus fleet,” he said.

“The tram system should catch up.”

A Department of Transport and Planning spokeswoman said they were working to target anti-social behaviour across the network by appointing authorised officers and staff.

“Any form of anti-social behaviour or harassment on our network is completely unacceptable and won’t be tolerated,” she said.

The Herald Sun understands the 100 new trams that are being built to initially roll out on the 57, 59 and 82 routes later this year will include CCTV.

A Victoria Police spokewoman said they “did not provide comment on cameras installed in trams” but they explored “all avenues available” in regards to investigations.

Anyone who witnessed any incidents, has footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.