Emily Chapman Laing and Matthew Sims
Berwick MP Brad Battin has called out the Minister of Police over the Clyde North police station promised in the 2018 state election.
“One of the issues through the area is the Clyde North police station, which was committed to be open and operating by the 2018 election and then was recommitted again to be done and open by the 2022 election,” Mr Battin said.
“Now the only thing that has been done for that police station is there is a sign saying that it will be ready by 2025.
“I know that all the members that represent that area have seen growth in such numbers that most infrastructure will not keep up with it, but I think the infrastructure around ensuring we have safety should and must be put in as a priority.”
Mr Battin noted in his address to the Minister the alarming rates of car thefts and break-ins in the area, leaving residents “fearful”.
According to the Crime Statistics Agency, overall crime in Clyde North increased by 26.35 per cent from 2022 to 2023, jumping from 1146 during 2022 to 1448 recorded offences in 2023.
Particular increases included property damage (36 per cent), theft (22.6 per cent) and assault (19.4 per cent).
While overall crime in Clyde North during 2023 fell by 3.9 per cent compared to 2022 figures, property damage increased by 14.8 per cent and theft saw a 12.1 per cent rise.
“The community is starting to come together and talk about this,” Mr Battin said.
“It is not just online; they have been approaching our office now and also their local media about, when they call police, the call-out times, how long it takes Victoria Police to arrive, and some of the issues with people hanging around in the street.”
Mr Battin says with roadworks delaying response times from Cranbourne and Narre Warren police, it is crucial the ball gets rolling on increasing Clyde North’s police presence.
“We have been calling on the government to build the station for a long period of time,” Mr Battin said.
“If we had the station, we could start putting Victoria Police in there, and I think then you would actually start to see people would feel safer.”
The Victorian Government has settled on the land for the station and says Victoria Police are working on the “scope and design” of Clyde North’s new station.
The introduction of the 24-hour Police Assistance Line (PAL) in 2017 was designed to take the pressure away from Triple Zero in non-emergency situations.
The goal was to free up the line for life-threatening situations, ensuring police response times were as efficient as possible.
Despite this, Mr Battin says the numbers simply aren’t there in the local police forces.
A Victorian government spokesperson says the Clyde area is “well serviced” by existing police resources in the region.
“We promised we’d deliver a state-of-the-art police station in Clyde North and that’s what we will do,” they said.
“The Victorian Budget 2022-23 is delivering an additional 502 police and 50 Protective Service Officers (PSOs) over the next two years to meet the growing needs of the state, bringing more than 3,600 new police officers to our streets.
“As a part of this commitment, the Dandenong Division, which includes the Clyde North area has received an additional 225 sworn police since 2016.”
The new station will be located on the corner of Newgrange Boulevard and Matterhorn Drive.
