Ringwood train station one of Melbourne’s most dangerous, latest stats show

RINGWOOD train station is one of the most dangerous in Melbourne, with 10 violent crimes and scores of other offences in just three months this year — and critics say the stats show that efforts to make it safer have been a complete failure.

Ringwood station is the fourth most dangerous in Melbourne, the latest stats show. Picture: Steve Tanner

RINGWOOD train station has been named one of the most dangerous in Melbourne.

Sixty-seven offences — including vicious assaults — were committed in the three months to June, according to the latest figures from the Crime Statistics Agency.

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The data has prompted the Public Transport Users Association to call for more security patrols.

A breakdown of offences showed 26 were property and deception crimes — which includes theft — while 10 were more violent crimes against the person.

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That ranks Ringwood fourth in Melbourne, behind Flinders St, Southern Cross and Dandenong.

Most offences happened before 6pm, when protective services officers start their shifts.

PTUA spokesman Daniel Bowen said patrols needed to start earlier in the day at “hot spots” such as Ringwood.

The redeveloped station was unveiled in January 2016 and included a new pedestrian concourse.

Mr Bowen said that should have improved safety by making parts of the station more visible. “But if the stats show there’s still a problem, then it does need to be looked at,” he said.

Mr Bowen also suggested a review of CCTV cameras to determine whether there were enough or if they needed to be monitored more regularly.

During the September school holidays, Ringwood police targeted areas around the station and Eastland in response to criminal activity, including youth gangs.

But Maroondah detective Acting Senior Sergeant Paul Holland said police did not usually patrol the station unless called there.

He said safety had improved since the upgrade and police could monitor the precinct through CCTV cameras with a live feed to Ringwood police station.

“There are also transit officers and Eastland security in the area, so it’s well covered,” he said.

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