Mobile patrols on trams began in late January, as part of an initiative which has seen PSOs able to work aboard trains and at train stations and tram stops.
The scheme was announced just days before the murder of international student Aya Maasarwe, who was killed after travelling on the Route 86 tram from Docklands to Bundoora, in Melbourne’s north.
The 21-year-old Palestinian student was walking from the tram stop to her accommodation at La Trobe University when she was attacked on January 16.
Ms Maasarwe’s murder is the latest in a spat of sexual assault incidents on Victoria’s public transport.
Productivity Commission data released last month found 27.9 per cent of Victorians feel unsafe on public transport at night.
The Age reported that from 2015 to 2018, the number of sexual offences on trains, trams and buses rose by 60 per cent to 332, while assaults on trams and tram stops rose by 19 per cent to 129.
“With PSOs now able to board trams, commuters should feel that help is never far away,” Transit Safety Division Acting Superintendent John Rose said.
“Whether you’re making your way home, travelling to work, school, university, major events or just heading out to catch up with friends in the city, it’s highly likely you’ll see our PSOs either at a station or riding the rails with you.
“If you ever need assistance, feel unsafe or are unfortunate enough to become a victim of a crime, do not hesitate to approach a PSO.”
While on trams, PSOs will proactively target crime and anti-social behaviour, providing additional safety at busy public transport hubs.
The patrols will be undertaken utilising information gained by Victoria Police through its members, the general public and public transport stakeholders to target areas of concern.
Victoria Police confirmed the current nightly PSO deployments at 216 metro and four regional railway stations every evening will remain, as will Night Network commitments on Friday and Saturday nights.
PSOs will also continue to respond to incidents as they occur.
Published author and PhD student at Monash University, Giulia Mastrantoni, said the initiative is something most commuters would want and need.
While Ms Mastrantoni said she’s never personally felt unsafe on Melbourne’s public transport, the 25-year-old Italian admitted to having felt “uncomfortable” and “exceptionally exposed” at times, due to the actions of those around her.
“In an ideal society, we would all be able to feel safe at all times,” Ms Mastrantoni said.
“Unfortunately, this is not the case and crime offenders, not victims, are responsible for that.”
While Ms Mastrantoni welcomes the new plan, she expressed her concern that an increased presence of PSOs on public transport may reinforce commuters’ “perceived threat” of crime.
“The perception of supposedly increased crime rates will affect the way people live, relate to one another and feel towards minorities (who are often blamed for crimes),” she said.
“My hope is that Victoria Police will be able to manage this change, and the risks linked to it, smoothly and effectively.”
A/Supt Rose said the plan was implemented in response to the needs of the community and will increase travellers’ sense of safety.
“The Victorian community has made it clear that PSOs make them feel safer when they see them at train stations or travelling on trains at night,” he added.
“The transition to trams aligns with the current successful initiative and is considered a natural transition for PSOs to be able to support the community in and around this mode of public transport.”
