By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
PROTECTIVE services officers have started their vigils over Noble Park railway station.
The posting of armed guards from August 7 comes soon after a successful deployment at Dandenong railway station between 6pm and the last trains at night.
Police have claimed an 80 per cent reduction in crime at Dandenong since PSOs were stationed there on May 29.
For three consecutive weekends in June, there were no reported assaults or robberies at the station and its surrounds during the PSOs’ shifts.
Troublemakers seemed to have shifted to neighbouring stations, including Springvale and Noble Park.
Inspector Bruce Kitchen, of Dandenong police, told the Weekly recently there had been an increase in ‘‘activity’’ at Springvale and Noble Park stations since the PSOs started at Dandenong.
‘‘Noble Park and Springvale are still concerns,’’ he said.
PSOs will also start at Box Hill and Epping railway stations tonight.
