Victoria Police are being given stronger powers across Melbourne as new Premier Ben Carroll pledges a further crackdown on crime across the city.
As part of the initiative, 150 more public service officers will be rolled out across places with higher anti-social behaviour such as shopping strips and centres.
“The additional PSOs will support our existing presence on the public transport network, as well as assisting in hospital guard and crime scene duties to help free up police,” a police statement read.
Mr Carroll said residents would “see more police where they are needed – keeping crime down and the community safe”.
“Victorians deserve to feel safe where they shop, where they work and where they live,” he said.
Speaking to media on Thursday, chief commissioner Mike Bush said officers were armed with ”every piece of equipment” needed to protect the community, including firearms, OC sprays and tasers.
“The PSO’s training takes 11 weeks; we can get them and deploy them quicker,” he said.
The announcement comes after the high-profile death of beloved grocer Van Viet Truong, who was allegedly attacked as he attempted to stop four shoplifters.
Van Viet Truong, 60, died after being bashed and beaten while trying to stop a group of youths aged 12, 13, 14 and 15, who allegedly fled a store with stolen goods.
Three boys – aged 12, 13 and 15 – and two 14-year-old girls were each charged with affray, violent disorder, intentionally cause serious injury and intentionally cause injury.
The 15-year-old boy later had his charges upgraded to manslaughter and the 13-year-old had his charges dropped.
His death sparked outcry from the community and business owners, who urged for better protections.
Police Minister Paul Edbrooke said his first act as minister was to visit the family and friends of Mr Truong, and other business owners and traders in the area.
“We listened, we heard what that community was saying,” he said.
As part of the state’s new pledge, Victoria Police will extend Operation Pulse – targeting major shopping centres and retail districts across the entire state.
The police operation currently targets several high-traffic shopping areas in Victoria, including Pacific Werribee, Bayside Frankston, Highpoint, Fountain Gate, Northland, Watergardens, Southland, Eastland and key CBD retail locations in Geelong.
Police said the operation will be expanded even further, with more locations to be confirmed by October.
So far, 1776 arrests have been made, with 3562 charges laid for shoplifting and 288 charges laid for drug offences.
“The expansion of Operation Pulse means we can deploy our resources to more areas where and when they are needed,” Mr Bush said.
“The additional PSOs will play a crucial role in ensuring our community is safe and feels safe
“Whether it’s on our transport network, in shopping centres or local retail precincts, Victoria Police and PSOs will be highly visible, proactive and focused on holding offenders to account.”
Mr Bush said the operation had already made “a huge impact” on the community.
“Retailers and shoppers are regularly telling us they are feeling safer because of our presence,” he said.
“This approach not only helps us detect crime but stop it happening in the first place.”
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