Victoria Police are going ‘back to basics’ as part of a new grassroots approach to tackle local crime and support safety working with the communities they serve.

Minister for Police Lisa Neville joined Chief Commisioner of Police Shane Patton today to announce the new neighbourhood policing initiative, which will see police working even more closely with communities to identify and address local concerns.

Victoria Police already has an established presence in local communities and the initiative plans to make these connections even stronger with increased police involvement at local community forums and informal engagement activities.

The rollout of the statewide neighbourhood policing initiative will see police compile a register of issues concerning their local community and partner with local councils, community groups and government agencies to address local issues, before reporting back to residents on what’s been done.

It follows the successful trial of the initiative in eight police service areas last year including in Frankston, Hume, Southern Grampians, Monash, Ballarat, Wellington, Melton and Glen Eira-Bayside.

The initiative is made possible by record policing investments from the Andrews Labor Government, which have delivered an additional 3135 police across the state.

In Clayton, in response to a spate of robberies targeting residents walking to the train station, neighbourhood policing helped identify the need for additional staged patrols in the area.

Police also teamed up with the City of Monash and local businesses to boost safety including improved lighting on back streets and safety messages installed on local footpaths. As a result, local police have reported a significant drop in crimes against the person in the area.

Police are always looking to hear from the community about what matters to them and the latest Victoria Police community sentiment survey has also opened to gauge how residents want to engage with police and how comfortable they feel approaching police and Protective Service Officers.

Residents are encouraged to have a voice in Victoria Police’s efforts to combat crime and take up these opportunities to discuss local crime issues and their safety priorities.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Lisa Neville

“Neighbourhood policing puts locals right at the heart of how local police tackle crime in their communities with locals working together with police to stop crime before it starts and target initiatives to keep everyone safe.”

“Our community is at its strongest and safest when we work together, respect each other, and are supported by a well-resourced, modern police force engaged with local communities.”

“We have delivered a record $3.8 billion in policing to ensure police have the powers and the resources they needed to tackle crime and keep Victorians safe – and the flexibility to adapt as the communities they serve change.”