Concerns have been raised by community leaders in Melbourne’s west over reduced public access hours at Keilor Downs Police Station amid broader discussions around crime rates, police resourcing and community safety across Victoria.
Former Brimbank Mayor and Justice of the Peace Georgina Papafotiou, alongside former Brimbank Mayor Bruce Lancashire, Justice of the Peace Fred Ackerman and former Deputy Mayor Daniel Allan, are encouraging residents to attend a community gathering next week to discuss the issue and show support for local policing services.
Ms Papafotiou said the concerns stem from significant reductions in the station’s public operating hours in recent years.
Keilor Downs Police Station, which opened in 1993, previously operated with 24-hour public access. According to organisers, public access hours were reduced to 56 hours per week in late 2023 before being further reduced to 22.5 hours per week in January 2026.
Ms Papafotiou said many residents were worried about the impact of reduced access, particularly at a time when crime statistics across Brimbank and Victoria have increased.
“Crime is going up, police access is going down — that’s why we’re rallying,” she said.
“Our community deserves open police stations, not closed doors. This feels like a slow shutdown of local policing in Brimbank.”
Figures cited by organisers show reported crime in Brimbank rose from 16,351 incidents in 2022 to 18,876 in 2025, while statewide criminal incidents increased by more than 20 per cent in the year to March 2025.
Ms Papafotiou stressed the event was intended to support local police officers rather than criticise them, pointing to ongoing staffing pressures within Victoria Police.
“Police need support. Far too many have left the force and those who remain are under enormous strain due to lack of staffing,” she said.
“Our police are doing their best under very difficult circumstances. This rally is about standing with them and ensuring they have the resources they need to protect our community.”
Organisers also highlighted concerns about accessibility for culturally and linguistically diverse residents in Brimbank, where nearly 60 per cent of residents speak a language other than English at home.
“Many in our community face language barriers, and some are not literate in English — or even in their own language,” Ms Papafotiou said.
“Yet they are being asked to report crime online. That is extremely challenging and, for many, simply unrealistic.”
The community gathering, titled “Save Keilor Downs Police Station,” is scheduled to take place outside the station on Saturday, May 16 at 10am.
Organisers say the event aims to encourage discussion around police accessibility, community safety and the resourcing challenges facing frontline officers across Melbourne’s west.
