Wyndham City Council draft budget reveals funds for security patrols in Truganina
Melbourne’s fastest growing council has taken a strong stance on a surge in local crime, allocating nearly $400,000 towards trialling regular security patrols.
Wyndham Leader
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A council in Melbourne’s booming west has taken it upon itself to deal with a surge in crime — including car thefts — with a bold community safety initiative worth nearly $400,000.
In its draft budget for 2025/26 released on Wednesday, Wyndham City Council has allocated $372,000 towards a community safety program that included a “security patrol trial” for Truganina.
It follows a patrol trial launched by the City of Melbourne earlier this year at CBD crime hotspots including Elizabeth, Swanston and Bourke streets that’s planned to run until July.
Councillor Preet Singh said it was time Wyndham did its bit to ensure community safety.
“While policing is the responsibility of the state government, council can also play a very important role to make the community feel safe by creating well lit spaces to encourage active and passive surveillance,” he said
“Our community is concerned about the increased in crime. We have seen City of Melbourne trial security patrols in the CBD and it’s been quite successful.
“While details are still to be worked out the trial in Truganina is one where we can work with the police to improve the perception of public safety.”
The proposal in the draft budget also included more street lights for Truganina.
Stealing from cars and motor vehicle theft were among the most recorded offences in Truganina last year.
According to data from the Crime Statistics Agency recorded motor vehicle theft offences in Truganina increased by nearly 90 per cent last year.
Wyndham also recorded the third highest amount of residential aggravated burglaries in the state.
Fed up with the crime wave in the west, residents at the Mambourin Estate near Werribee set up their own nightly patrol service last year before a private firm took over.
Kristy Williams, who helped start the patrol and has since moved suburbs because of the crime, said it was crucial that more security services were set up across the booming municipality.
“(The patrols) are an amazing thing and would be nice to get one in more suburbs,” she said.
“I hope the council gets on board because the crime wave in the west is just horrible.
“I don’t let my kids go anywhere by themselves, I won’t let them walk the streets at all.
The draft budget opened for community feedback on Wednesday, with the final budget to be
presented to the council in June.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said local police would “continue to work with the local council on safety and security matters.”
“Senior local police meet regularly through several local committees to address emerging issues and provide appropriate police responses to ensure the safety of the community,” she said.
“Wyndham North and Werribee police conduct 24/7 patrols of the area to detect and deter crime including break-ins and car thefts.”
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