Ringwood railway station remains one of the most dangerous in Melbourne

Commuter safety is becoming a burning issue in Maroondah with Ringwood railway station again posting high crime figures. It comes after a woman was attacked at nearby Heathmont station last month.

Ringwood railway station has been ranked the third most dangerous suburban railway station in Melbourne.

Safety at Maroondah railway stations has become a major concern after Ringwood was ranked third worst in Melbourne for reported offences.

The latest Crime Statistics Agency figures showed there was 163 offences recorded at Ringwood station in the 12 months to March, putting it behind just Dandenong (354) and Sunshine (193).

And while there was a small drop in reported offences — down 12 from the period between April 2017 and March 2018 — commuters took to the Maroondah Leader Facebook page to raise concerns over safety.

One, Lami Martin, said “even during the day it feels unsafe” while Lisa Leckie said the area around REALM library was “something that needs to be looked at too”.

Jodie Louise said the station was “not safe in the evenings but Croydon station is worse”.

However, Bailey English and Lauren McPants both said the station had plenty of lighting and they felt safe.

Ringwood railway station is a junction for the Belgrave and Lilydale railway lines.

This comes after the Maroondah Leader launched its Make Our Station Safe campaign to improve safety at Heathmont station after a woman was attacked while walking home.

Maroondah councillor Nora Lamont, who has the station in her ward, said she was shocked by the latest statistics.

Cr Lamont said she was working on arranging meetings between Ringwood police and the council to improve safety at the station and in the nearby council-owned Ringwood Town Square and REALM.

“I think it’s incumbent on us to have a look at it,” Cr Lamont said.

Maroondah councillors Marijke Graham, Mike Symon and Nora Lamont at Ringwood Town Square. Picture: Supplied.

“We have spent a lot of time on the past 10 years redeveloping that section of Ringwood, it has a new look and a new feel.

“I want people to feel safe to get off the train no matter what time of day it is … they should never feel unsafe in Ringwood.”

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Eastland general manager Greg Balmforth did not answer questions about the station and the latest figures.

But he said the shopping centre worked closely with local police and had around-the clock security and an extensive CCTV network.

Transit safety north west Superintendent Alison Boyes said five mobile protective services officers were recently allocated to patrol trains and stations in the eastern division, including Ringwood.

Supt Boyes said the officers were on duty “where and when we need them, including during the day”.

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