REPORTS of assaults are becoming regular at Kerang train station, according to police.
However, with no closed circuit television, lack of lighting and isolation, police are often hindered in their investigations.
Acting Inspector Brian Hansen said two groups came together and fought as the train departed the station late on February 21.
“We’re still trying to determine what has occurred, but there were no injuries reported to us,” he said.
“People have been really evasive about it, and we are working to get to the bottom of it.
“We are calling for witnesses because people are being reluctant to talk to us about it and, unfortunately, there is no CCTV at the station because V/Line don’t see it as a priority.”
Insp Hansen said a lack of CCTV hindered any investigation following reports of incidents.
“It’s away from the CBD of Kerang, there not a great deal of lighting and it’s removed from every other public structure, so it’s isolated a little bit,” he said.
“The station itself is often the target of vandalism and damage.”
Insp Hansen said reports of assaults had become a regular occurrence at and near the station.
“We’ve had a lot of interaction and discussions with the local council about the issue, because it’s a V/Line-owned property.
“There’s only so much that the police and the council can do, and V/Line just don’t see it as a priority.”
Insp Hansen said cheaper fares meant greater patronage on trains, but that also meant the possibility of more criminal incidents on trains and at stations.
“People that didn’t have access to travel suddenly do,” he said.
“But that means these occurrences are sort of probably happening more often.
“And Joe Citizen, who uses the transport option as a legitimate means of travelling are suddenly subjected to this type of behaviour, and they’re at risk of being injured themselves.”
Insp Hansen said train conductors had the ability to communicate with local police.
“They can radio ahead if there’s an issue on the train, but often officers don’t know what’s waiting at the platform,” he said.
The latest incident comes almost a year since a Kerang mother, who saw a violent scuffle between youths at the station, said she was now too terrified to travel on the train at night.
One of the parties suffered serious facial injuries.
