Outreach workers cut conduct crimes by 44% at Frankston station
Between November 2024 and December 2025, Community Connectors at Frankston station cut disorderly and offensive conduct crimes by 44 per cent.
A small team of social workers and mental health professionals work at busy train stations every afternoon in purple hoodies. The Community Connectors program is run by South East Community Links and has reduced antisocial behaviour in Melbourne's outer south-east.
The program started at Frankston in November 2024. Between November 2024 and December 2025, workers helped 2,452 people with mental health, housing and substance use issues.
Workers stopped harm in 535 situations and de-escalated 180 incidents. Crime data from the Crime Statistics Agency showed disorderly and offensive conduct crimes around Frankston station dropped 44 per cent.
The program is expanding to Sunshine and St Albans in Melbourne's west. Team leader Damian Anderson said: We just try and sit with them, listen to their story, what their needs are, what their priorities are and try and link them into services.
- 44%
- Crime reduction
- November 2024 to December 2025
- Period
- 2,452
- People helped
- 535
- Harm situations stopped
Why it mattersPatient, ongoing work with vulnerable people can reduce street crime and antisocial behaviour without heavy police presence.
AustraliaMelbourne's outer suburbs gain a proven model for tackling crime and supporting vulnerable people; the program is expanding west as the state election approaches.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 29 d ago
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