Protective services officers will patrol the Melbourne Grand Prix precinct this weekend in a new initiative allowing them to be deployed to more places to boost community safety.
PSOs will patrol a large area surrounding the track including public transport and entertainment hubs like St Kilda’s Fitzroy Street.
It’s the first deployment under a new model where Victoria Police can temporarily declare an area a designated place so PSOs can patrol there.
The measure is designed to improve safety during large-scale events.
PSOs can exercise their normal legislative powers when deployed to a designated area to assist police in deterring crime and responding to anti-social behaviour.
The last two years has seen PSOs expand beyond the public transport network and perform a wide range of duties to support Victoria Police’s response to the global pandemic.
PSOs played a vital role in the state’s hotel quarantine program and kept essential workers and the community safe while patrolling retail precincts.
The deployment of PSOs at this weekend’s Grand Prix is the first time Victoria Police has used legislation which came into effect in April 2021.
The area they will patrol extends from Flinders Street in the city to Barkly Street in Elwood.
Quotes attributed to Acting Superintendent Adam Tanner, Transit Safety Division:
“Our PSOs do a great job helping ensure community safety and with tens of thousands of motorsport fans headed to Albert Park there’s no better time to roll out this initiative.
“The addition of PSOs to our usual police presence means we will be highly visible right across the weekend.
“Their sole focus is keeping the community safe as Melbourne affirms its title as the nation’s sporting capital.”
