Station crime surge

Offences soar at three train stations

CRIM CRIME has more than triple tripled at train stations at the e end of the Geelong line. W While offences across Geelo Geelong’s eight stations increa increased by 35 per cent in the ye year to March, crime at South Geelong, Marshall and W Waurn Ponds train stations shot up by 220 per cent, the latest figures from the Crime Statistics Agency revealed.

Marshall Station saw the steepest increase in crime, jumping from 11 offences to 62 over the 12-month period — including four crimes against the person.

CRIME has more than tripled at train stations at the southern end of the Geelong line.

While offences across Geelong’s eight stations increased by 35 per cent in the year to March, crime at South Geelong, Marshall and Waurn Ponds train stations shot up by 220 per cent, the latest figures from the Crime Statistics Agency revealed.

Marshall Station saw the steepest increase in crime, jumping from 11 offences to 62 over the 12 month period — including 53 property and deception offences and four crimes against the person.

Across South Geelong, Marshall and Waurn Ponds train stations property and deception offences increased from 42 to 122 in the year to March, while crimes against the person went from none to six.

Property and deception offences include property damage, thefts, deceptions, arson and break and enters.

Public Transport Users Association Geelong branch spokesman Paul Westcott said a series of thefts from cars might have contributed to the increase in offences.

“Any increase in crime around stations is of concern to passengers, but the nature of it is important to find out,” Mr Westcott said.

“The noticeable increase in property and deception offences at Marshall stands out, and we need to know precisely what is involved to judge the significance of it.

“However, I seem to recall that there was a spate of car break-ins at Marshall and South Geelong station car parks during the reporting period, which would certainly account for at least some of the increase in property and deception offences at both those stations.”

Mr Westcott said the overall level of crime at the South Geelong, Marshall and Waurn Ponds stations was “very low”, and said the main concern from passengers related to safety at unmanned stations, particularly after dark.

“It’s more of a perception than reality because, given the patronage at those stations, it’s good to note the very low level of crimes against the person at all stations in the Geelong area,” he said.

Police did not respond to the Geelong Advertiser’s questions by deadline yesterday.

Geelong station continues to be the scene of most crime among the region’s eight train stations, with 122 recorded offences between April 2018 and March of this year — a 24 per cent increase on the previous year.

Crimes in the year to March included 86 property and deception offences, 20 public order and security offences, 10 drug offences and four crimes against the person.

While crime at the end of the Geelong line shot up, three of the region’s eight stations saw a decrease in offences over the 12 month period, including Lara, Corio and North Geelong.