By Luke Voogt
Commuters want improved security at local train stations after police identified North Geelong Station as Victoria’s second worst for crimes against parked cars.
Angry train users called for more PSO patrols, additional security cameras and a tougher legal system as police conducted information caravans at North Geelong Station.
“Put some PSOs out there and maybe more cameras,” Belinda Lyons demanded under a police social media post on station car park crime .
“If the judges weren’t so lenient to let them off the first time then maybe we wouldn’t have such a big problem.”
Other commenters said locking vehicles and hiding valuables inside was failing to prevent criminals stealing number plates or vandalising cars.
“The problem being is that the crooks will still smash windows to see what they can find, as they know it will be hidden in glove boxes or under seats,” Stuart Trevena posted.
“So what is the point really?”
Geelong Leading Senior Constable Andrew King said valuables left in full view were the associated with most break-ins and vandalism.
“Don’t give a mug an even break,” he urged commuters.
“People are creating the opportunity by leaving valuables in their car.”
Ldg Sen Const King said most of the vehicles stolen from train station car parks were either unlocked or had spare keys hidden somewhere on the car.
“The community, at some stage, has got to take responsibility for some of their own crime prevention and this a prime example.”
Ldg Sen Const King encouraged commuters to consider extra security measures such as immobilisers and steering locks.
“If you remove the opportunity these two offences are less likely to occur.”
Ldg Sen Const King said Geelong police had increased uniform and plain-clothes patrols and “proactive visits” to Geelong stations.
A recently police audit of North Geelong’s car park found that it had “significant lighting and CCTV coverage”, he said.
“Current CCTV footage is constantly being used by investigators.”
But new lighting technology could help improve car park illumination, he said.
“That’s not to say all these thefts are occurring at night. A large number of offences are occurring while commuters are at work for an extended period of time.”
Victoria Police’s review of the state’s public transport system identified 66 vehicle offences at North Geelong between 1 October 2015 and 30 September 2016.
Geelong public transport advocate Paul Westcott called for bicycle cages at local stations after reports of bike vandalism and theft.
Bike cages were recently installed at South Geelong and Geelong stations but Mr Westcott said they were more desperately needed at North Geelong and North Shore.
“They’re not staffed all the time and yet no bike cages were put there.”
