Mernda police station is open – almost four years after a community campaign for a station in the growth suburb began.
Victoria police opened the 24-hour station, on the corner of Bridge Inn Road and Pimpinella Pass, on Sunday morning.
The $15 million station will house specialist resources such as the Whittlesea family violence unit and Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT) and be staffed by 45 new police officers.
Superintendent Tim Hansen describes the station as “a police station for the future”.
“But the most important element of this police station will be the 45 new police members based there,” he said.
“The improved police response and benefits from these additional resources will be felt by people living in every suburb of Whittlesea and the surrounding area.”
Mernda residents, led by new councillor Tom Joseph, campaigned for a station in their suburb amid concerns about the rising number of burglaries and break-ins in the area.
The station’s opening has caused concern in Whittlesea township, with residents fearing it will lead to the closure of their station.
But, in a letter to the community, superintendent Hansen said Victoria Police was committed to keeping that station open and operating as usual.
“I can assure you all police serving across the northern suburbs of Melbourne are committed to working with their community to make the northern suburbs a safer place to live,” he said.
“The Mernda police station comes with the opportunity to better understand the specific policing needs of the surrounding communities, including the Whittlesea township and the nearby rural community.
“As we measure and monitor this policing over the coming 12 months, I wish to allay any fears regarding the operation of the Whittlesea police station.”
Latest Crime Statistics Agency data shows that in the 12 months to June, there was a 3.9 per cent increase in crime in Mernda, with 1346 offences reported to police.
Across Whittlesea, crime rose 3.8 per cent, with 16,095 offences reported.
