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Victoria Police Adjusts PSO Deployment as State Crime Data Shows Increases in Theft and Aggravated Burglaries

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Victoria Police Announces PSO Redeployment Amid Rising Crime Statistics

Victoria Police has announced a significant redeployment of Protective Services Officers (PSOs) across the metropolitan rail network. This change coincides with the release of annual crime statistics showing increases in several offence categories, including car theft and residential aggravated burglaries.

PSO Redeployment on Rail Network

Victoria Police will adjust the deployment of Protective Services Officers starting April 19, 2026, with changes to be phased in over six months.

  • PSOs will be removed from static platform duties at 119 suburban railway stations.
  • These officers will be redeployed to provide patrols at 32 designated stations from 9am until the last service. These stations include CBD hubs and suburban stops such as Dandenong, Sunshine, Footscray, Frankston, and Ringwood.
  • A permanent nightly PSO presence from 6pm will continue at 73 metropolitan stations and 4 regional stations.
  • Under the new model, PSOs will operate in mobile teams, riding trains between stations or responding as needed, with each team covering up to six stations.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Mick Hermans stated the change is based on crime patterns and patronage levels, aiming to move officers from less busy stations to areas of higher need. "It makes no sense to have PSOs stuck at smaller, less busy stations when they could have more impact aboard the train at these locations," Hermans said.

The redeployment occurs alongside data showing a 33% increase in violent offences across the rail network between 2022 and 2025, according to Crime Statistics Agency figures compiled by police. Serious offences classified as "crimes against persons" rose from 1,174 in 2022 to 1,561 in 2025. Southern Cross Station recorded 197 such offences in 2025, the highest in the state, followed by Flinders Street Station with 151.

Opposition police spokesperson Brad Battin has criticized the reduction of static PSO presence at stations. Police Association Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt expressed concern that reducing visible officers could affect commuter safety, suggesting a static presence deters crime.

Statewide Crime Statistics Overview

Recent Crime Statistics Agency data for 2025 indicates several trends in Victoria's crime rates:

  • The overall criminal incident rate was 8,885.5 offences per 100,000 people, a 2.4% increase from 2024. This is the highest rate since 2016.
  • From 2022 to 2025, the overall crime rate increased by more than 19%.
  • In 2025, 230,213 individuals were recorded as victims of crime.
  • A total of 26,645 individuals were arrested a combined 78,014 times in 2025.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill stated the 2.4% year-on-year increase suggests the crime rate may be stabilizing after sharper previous increases. Hill cited factors such as the cost of living, recidivism, and technology use as ongoing challenges. Police Minister Anthony Carbines attributed the slower growth to new youth crime laws and noted an increase in bail refusals.

Increases in Specific Crime Categories

The data shows significant rises in property and burglary offences.

Motor Vehicle Theft

  • Over 32,000 cars were stolen in Victoria in 2025, the highest number since 2001.
  • This represents a 96.9% increase since 2022.
  • The Insurance Council of Australia reported a 59% rise in motor vehicle theft insurance claims in Victoria for the 2024-25 financial year.
  • Deputy Commissioner Hill stated new police intelligence indicates 30-40% of stolen cars are taken using electronic key-cloning devices.

Residential Aggravated Burglary

  • The statewide incident rate for residential aggravated burglaries (where a person is home) was 88.1 per 100,000 people in 2025, up from 56.1 in 2016.
  • The council areas of Boroondara, Bayside, and Stonnington recorded 10-year highs in 2025.
  • Bayside had the highest state rate at 240.4 incidents per 100,000 people, up from 57.3 in 2016.
  • RMIT criminologist Dr. Brianna Chesser stated rates in some suburbs are linked to organized groups targeting areas with high-value items.

Police Operations and Responses

Victoria Police has initiated several operations in response to crime trends:

  • Operation Trinity targeted home burglaries, leading to over 600 arrests in 2024.
  • Operation Alliance involves active patrols in Melbourne's western suburbs, areas with high rates of youth gang crime and home invasions.
  • Police report that most car thefts are perpetrated by offenders over 25, but stolen vehicles are frequently used by youth gangs for other crimes.
  • An initiative allowing officers to conduct in-field interviews and charge low-level offenders on the spot is projected to free up approximately 53,000 policing hours.

On police resources, Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt stated that 1,500 current vacancies need to be filled to address crime increases. Deputy Commissioner Hill countered that internal reorganization has maintained street-level policing numbers and that vacancies are not responsible for the crime increase.

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has promised to recruit an additional 200 PSOs and 3,000 new police officers if elected in the upcoming state election.