By ANEEKA SIMONIS
SECURITY at Pakenham police station has been ramped up, with security shutters installed at the complex’s front counter less than a week after it was targeted by a fire-bomb throwing assailant.
On Thursday 17 March, the 24/7 station’s front counter was fitted with permanent Perspex security screens barring the public from advancing over the police front counter.
Though the station, like all others in Victoria, was due to have the security screens fitted as part of new anti-terror measures released last May, the installation came days after the station was set alight by a fire-bomb throwing offender likely intending to hurt officers.
On this occasion, the man was held up by a second set of security doors which barred him from accessing the front counter behind which officers sit.
He instead threw the fiery Molotov cocktail at the locked doors, before escaping on foot before 1am on Saturday 12 March.
Pakenham police Senior Sergeant Graeme Stanley denied the installation of the security screens was fast-tracked as a result of the targeted police attack.
“It was all within schedule,” he said.
The Gazette contacted the Victoria Police media unit on Wednesday 16 March to understand when the screens would be installed, but was not given a response due to “security reasons”.
The security screens are designed to maximise police resources, with the extra layer of security mitigating requirements for a second armed police officer to man the front counter under the policy.
On occasion, the station has been closed to the public due to a lack of available resources to man the front counter.
The State Opposition pointed out crime in Pakenham had increased by 41.7 per cent in 2015 when the two-up policy was introduced compared with the previous year.
Statistics show close to 5000 offences were committed in the region last year, up on just over 3500 in 2014.
Opposition police spokesman and Eastern Victoria Region MP Edward O’Donohue blamed the government for the crime increase, pointing out no new patrol officers had been appointed to the region.
Last month, he provided the Gazette with statistics that suggested Cardinia had lost six front-line police officers between September and December last year.
“Under Daniel Andrews crime rates are up but police numbers are down and police stations have closed or reduced hours,” he said.
Claims of officer losses were refuted by Cardinia Police Inspector Shane Smith.
Police are continuing to search for the offender who threw a lit Molotov cocktail at Pakenham police station.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
