PROTECTIVE service officers will start patrols at Ringwood and Lilydale railway stations tonight.
Maroondah’s Acting Inspector Graham Gooding confirmed exclusively to the Weekly there would be five PSOs starting at Ringwood station from 6pm until after the last train.
Croydon station is set to follow, with PSOs on site in a fortnight.
‘‘It is going to make a big difference,’’ Inspector Gooding said.
‘‘It’s two stations in Maroondah covered and that will be fantastic.’’
It’s welcome news for commuters who use the stations, which are regularly cited as top trouble spots on Melbourne’s train lines.
Transit Safety Division’s Acting Superintendent Philip Green said there were now 143 PSOs working at 18 train stations across metropolitan Melbourne.
“The feedback we’re getting from commuters and members of the rail industry continues to be very positive,” Inspector Green said.
The deployment of PSOs is based on a number of factors such as how busy the train station is and the amount of reported crime and antisocial behaviour.
The Weekly first reported last month that PSOs were to be deployed soon to the Ringwood station amid commuters’ continued safety concerns on the Lilydale-Belgrave lines.