New data has confirmed train stations stripped of Protective Services Officers (PSOs) by Labor have experienced a 30 per cent increase in criminal offending over the past 12 months.
In April 2026, Ben Carroll and Labor stripped permanent PSOs from 119 train stations across Melbourne.
New independent Crime Statistics Agency data has confirmed criminal offences on these 119 stations increased from 1,781 for the year ending March 2025 to 2,314 for the year ending March 2026 - increase of 30 per cent and more than six crimes every single day.
Individual stations stripped of PSOs by Labor that have experienced the largest increase in crime over the past year include (full list attached):
- Williams Landing - 94.4 per cent
- Victoria Park - 61.5 per cent
- Tottenham - 173.9 per cent
- Syndal - 92.0 per cent
- Merinda Park - 40.7 per cent
- Keilor Plains - 480.0 per cent
- Albion - 204.5 per cent.
Unlike Labor, our Liberal and Nationals team understand the importance of PSOs on train stations and will return them to every single metropolitan train station.
It is part of our plan to reduce crime and restore community safety, including by hiring 3,000 more police, reopening closed police stations, implementing real Adult Crime, Adult Time laws, a tough new one-strike bail rule and establishing a new Court of Criminal Appeal to ensure consequences match community expectations.
Leader of the Opposition, Jess Wilson, said: "Under a government I lead, commuters can have confidence that PSOs will be on every metropolitan train station, every night.
"With criminal offending surging on train stations across Melbourne, Labor's decision to strip PSOs from 119 train stations is reckless and makes no sense.
"A Liberal and Nationals Government will put PSOs back on every metropolitan train station, recruit 3,000 police, reopen closed police stations and ensure consequences for serious crime match community expectations.
"Only my Liberal and Nationals team has a plan to reduce crime and deliver a government that works."
Shadow Minister for Police and Corrections, Brad Battin, said: "Under Labor, crime is up, police are down and Victorians are paying the price.
"Labor's decision to strip PSOs from train stations has left Victorians facing a lottery with their safety across our public transport system, but it doesn't have to be this way.
"A Wilson Liberal and Nationals Government will return PSOs to every metropolitan train station, as part of our comprehensive plan to reduce crime and keep Victorians safe."
