Western suburbs mayors unite to call for more police on the beat
Published on 05 August 2026
Mayors from Brimbank, Maribyrnong, Hobsons Bay, Wyndham and Melton have come together to urge the Victorian Government for more visible, local police across Melbourne’s west.
Our police play a vital role in our communities.
They respond in difficult and dangerous situations. They support victims, protect our traders and help people feel safe.
But local police resources have not kept pace with the growth of our region and the needs of our communities.
Recent attacks on traders, including the shocking assaults in Sunshine and Footscray this week, have shaken our people.
Crime rates are rising across Melbourne’s West with a combined 12.7 per cent increase in recorded crimes across the region so far in 2026.
In addition to this week’s violence, shots were fired at an Altona North home last week and two weeks ago, a man was arrested in Hoppers Crossing and charged with two sexual assaults within 24 hours. In June, a man was murdered outside a Footscray pub, while late last year, a group of 11 boys attacked two teenagers with machetes at Caroline Springs.
There have also been numerous violent machete attacks in community spaces right across the West from libraries to shopping centres and on our streets.
The impact of this violence has been compounded by closures of our local police stations.
Public access to Footscray, Keilor Downs and Caroline Springs police stations has been reduced to three days a week, while the Williamstown Police Station counter is temporarily closed. The Altona Police Station counter is closed overnight and on weekends.
Enough is enough. Our communities deserve more police.
We need more police on the beat, a more responsive service and police stations which are open around the clock with local officers ready to respond.
Councils of the west are doing their part. We are cleaning streets, improving public spaces, supporting traders, investing in city compliance and working with local community services and outreach.
But councils simply cannot replace police.
This is not a criticism of the dedicated officers serving Melbourne’s west. We value our police. They deserve our thanks, our support and the resources they need to do their jobs.
Together, we are calling on the State Government to:
- increase visible neighbourhood policing across Melbourne’s west
- improve access to local police stations
- ensure police resources keep pace with population growth.
We want more prevention programs for including youth outreach and support and more outreach for mental health, homelessness and alcohol and other drug to support police and prevent problems from escalating.
Our communities deserve to feel safe in their streets. Our traders and workers deserve to feel safe at in their businesses. Melbourne’s west deserves better.
Quotes attributable to City of Maribyrnong Mayor, Cr Mohamed Semra:
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in Footscray and across Maribyrnong. We want people looking towards Footscray’s future, not over their shoulder.
“Presence matters. A police officer walking down the street changes how that whole street feels. We need more visible police on our streets and a police station our community can access when they need help.”
Quotes attributable to Hobsons Bay Mayor, Cr Diana Grima
“Our local police play an essential role in keeping Hobsons Bay safe.
“People need to know they can walk into their local police station and get help. Altona and Williamstown need accessible police services backed by a strong local police presence.”
Quotes attributable to City of Melton Mayor, Cr Lara Carli
“The City of Melton is one of the fastest growing local government areas in Australia. It is critically important for services to keep up with this growth, including police resourcing both in police stations and on the front-line."
Quotes attributable to Wyndham Mayor, Cr Mia Shaw
“Wyndham is one of the fastest-growing communities in Australia, but essential services have not kept pace.
“Our residents deserve police resources that match our growth. This is about keeping families safe and making sure Wyndham receives its fair share.”
Quotes attributable to Brimbank Mayor, Cr Virginia Tachos
“The shocking attack on one of our traders in Sunshine last weekend has deeply affected our community.
“Brimbank’s crime rate increased by 8.8 per cent last year, but we recorded the highest fall in police numbers of anywhere in Victoria. We need the Government to act now with more police protecting our businesses, residents and streets.”