Police keep get criminals on track

POLICE patrolled Lilydale train station and travelled on trains last week in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour as part of Operation Sweep.
Senior Sergeant Col McKinney said it was important to increase police presence in the area, particularly around the end of school time and during the afternoon commuter peak, when young people were more likely to loiter.
“Our main aim is to make people feel safe going about their everyday business,” he said.
“There is a difference between people’s perceptions and what they’re really seeing – they see people congregating and drinking and it can make them feel unsafe, but it doesn’t mean there is a high percentage of crime.”
He said the crime rate at the station is very minimal, but when it happens, police will be there to catch offenders, with a focus on educating them.
“We will enforce any breaching of the law, but our aim is to get out there and educate and not prosecute,” he said.
“Everyone has the right to feel safe out in public at night and people can’t conduct themselves in an inappropriate manner such as being unruly or drinking.
“We will be out there as often as we can and we will work together with traders and the community to tackle the issue.”
The operation ran from Wednesday last week until Saturday, but Sen Sgt McKinney said police will continue to patrol the streets.