Sex assault squad to hunt Melbourne public transport predators after big spike in sex crimes
Victoria Police are creating a specialised squad to catch predators after an alarming spike in sex crimes on public transport.
The decision comes after it was revealed that incidents are currently being reported at the rate of one a day.
Perverts who grope women on crowded trams and trains may think they can get away with it, but Victorian authorities have vowed to stamp out their "abhorrent offending".
The "Hands Off" campaign, launched on Monday by Victoria Police, Public Transport Victoria and Crime Stoppers, will publish images of alleged offenders in a bid to identify and charge them.
"If your image is released, we urge you to make yourself known to police and we will assist you to access rehabilitative services should they be applicable," Inspector Karl Curran told reporters.
It is likely most perpetrators think they can "get away with" pressing up against women on public transport, especially on crowded trains and trams, Insp Curran said.
"Generally they're opportunistic so they feel, rightly or wrongly, that if they are in that crowded environment, they can then offend by touching or exposing themselves.
"There are instances where [victims] question 'am I being offended against? Or are they just moving behind me on the tram?'"
He said if women were unsure, they should contact police.
"I urge women to come forward and tell their stories," he said.
Public Transport Victoria chief executive Jeroen Weimar said while the vast majority of Victoria's 590 million journeys each year were safe, sexual offending would not be tolerated.
"We will not rest until everybody is safe on public transport," he said.
There are about 9000 CCTV cameras at metropolitan rail stations, and cameras on every station platform and train carriage, with Metro monitoring station CCTV 24-hours a day.
There are also plans underway to increase CCTV on trams, Mr Weimar said.
Crime Stoppers Victoria general manager Cathy Rhodes reminded people that anonymous calls to report crimes aren't traced.
"We want to know what you know... people committing these types of abhorrent offending on our public transport system must be held accountable for their crimes."
To report an offence, call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.
