Premier Ben Carroll has announced 150 additional Protective Services Officers (PSO) to increase patrols across Melbourne shopping centres and crime hotspots.
The new PSOs will have greater powers to patrol areas experiencing crime and anti-social behaviour, including local shopping strips. Operation Pulse until the end of 2027, allowing police and PSOs to increase patrols across major shopping centres.
This announcement comes after a number of violent incidents across Melbourne shopping centres and precincts in recent months, a teenager was injured in a knife attack at Highpoint Shopping Centre in May, while a group of teenagers attacked a good samaritan at Watergardens Shopping Centre in July.
Carroll said the additional PSOs would help keep Victorians safe in places they shop, work and spend time.
“You’ll see more police where they are needed – keeping crime down and the community safe,” he said.
Victorian Police Minister Paul Edbrooke said the changes would give police and PSOs greater flexibility to respond to crime.
“Labor is about more police on our streets deterring crime and helping people feel safe,” he said.
This change now brings the total number of PSOs funded by the Labor government over the past year to 200.
Operation Pulse has resulted in more than 1,700 arrests and 3,500 charges since it began back in December 2025.
Photo: By Philip Mallis found HERE and is used under a Creative Commons Licence. This image has not been modified.
