Melbourne train station crime: Dandenong retains top spot
Robberies, assaults and bashings — just a normal day at these notorious Melbourne train stations. New statistics have revealed our 10 most crime-riddled commuter hubs, with a new spot skyrocketing into the list.
South East
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Springvale station has rocketed into Melbourne’s top 10 stations for crime, with offences at the busy hub more than doubling in the past 12 months.
The number of offences spiked from 54 in 2017-18 to 114 for the April 2018-March 2019 period, according to the latest Crime Statistics Agency data.
But Dandenong’s notorious reputation as the most dangerous station in suburban Melbourne remains with the station cemented at number one, despite hitting a five-year low of 354 offences.
It is well ahead of second-placed Sunshine (193), despite being down from 396 in 2017-18.
Public order and security offences (164) account for most of the crime, with property and deception (50) and crimes against the person (49) the next highest.
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But the spike at Springvale station has police concerned.
Property and deception (29) account for the most offences closely followed by public order and security offences (25).
Several robberies and assaults, including a vicious bashing, have occurred at or near the station in the past year.
“The incidents which have occurred at Springvale train station are not linked to a specific group of people,” Transit South Local Area Commander Inspector Martin Hardy said.
He said population growth was a “likely contributor to a rise in some crimes”.
“Other reasons for the increase can be attributed to ongoing encouragement to report sex offences and other anti-social behaviours,” he said.
“Springvale is a busy area, which sees a large number of people using the train station on a daily basis.
“Every person has the right to use the public transport system and feel safe.”
Other stations — excluding city loop and regional stations — to make the top 10 are Ringwood (163), Footscray (146), Newport (113), North Melbourne (104), Frankston (103), Werribee (93) and Broadmeadows (92).
The stats come as transit police vowed to crackdown on crime at transport hubs and shopping precincts across the southeast.
Acting Sergeant Daniel Burton said Operation Recalcitrant aimed to improve public safety by deterring criminal offences.
“We recognise the need to focus on transport hubs and will continue to regularly focus our operations on these areas to ensure public safety and reduce crime,” he said.
The operation runs until Thursday.