Calls for more police at Croydon railway station with claims drunk men are following young women

A railway station in Melbourne’s east is getting a bad wrap from female commuters, with one saying she and other young women are often followed around by drunk men.

Readers have expressed concerns about traffic and safety at Croydon railway station, along with its layout. Picture: Kiel Egging.

A commuter claims young women are being followed or approached by drunk and “sleazy” men at Croydon railway station.

And others have called for lighting upgrades and around-the-clock staff and police to help them feel safer at night.

Maroondah Leader launched its Make Our Station Safe campaign earlier this month to improve safety at Heathmont station after a woman was attacked.

But in response to a post about safety at Croydon station on Maroondah Leader’s Facebook page, Brittany Cook said she had seen “a lot of drunks following young girls around”.

“I used to live in Croydon and every time I was there I either got followed or some random guy would sit right next to me and start being sleazy,” she wrote.

A vandalised and locked toilet block opposite Croydon railway station. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Readers previously expressed concerns about safety at Ringwood railway station when the latest Crime Statistics Agency figures ranked it the third most dangerous in Melbourne.

A total of 163 offences were recorded there in the 12 months to March, including 11 assaults and 37 reports of disorderly and offensive conduct.

The agency recorded 53 offences at Croydon station in the same period, slightly higher than the 50 recorded from April 2017 to March 2018.

A pedestrian was hit by a bus and killed at Croydon railway station last year. Picture: Nathan Hill.

Other readers had mixed opinions about safety at Croydon station.

Andrea Lowe said the station was not well lit and she would “never use it after dark”, while Jonathan Derham said he was nearly carjacked there last year.

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But Nat Arambasic said Croydon was “better than the rat warrens of Box Hill, Ringwood and Blackburn” and its PSOs “won’t leave your side if it's the middle of the night until you’re safely in a car”.

Paul Nicholson said the station was a “feral area” but believed “feral people are part of the culture and charm of Croydon” and they kept to themselves.

Maroondah Mayor Rob Steane, who has the station in his ward, said he had never felt unsafe at the station or anywhere else in Croydon.

But Cr Steane said the station needed an upgrade in line with long-term plans to remove the Coolstore Rd level crossing.

The crossing is unlikely to be removed before 2025 as it has not been prioritised by the State Government.

Croydon police have been contacted for comment.

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