Article: Train network offenders snared by video and 'wanted' posters

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Train network offenders snared by video and 'wanted' posters

Train network offenders snared by video and 'wanted' posters
CHRIS VEDELAGO
June 6, 2010

VICTORIAN police have used a combination of high-tech video footage and old-school ''wanted'' posters to identify 132 people suspected of committing assaults, robberies and property crimes on the city's train network.

Many of the suspects have turned themselves in or been dobbed in by commuters or even family members after their photos were prominently displayed at busy train stations near where the crimes were committed. Their photos had been captured on closed-circuit television (CCTV).

Police say 84 of the 98 alleged crimes described in the posters have been ''resolved'' since July 2009 - a success rate of 86 per cent - including six robberies and two indecent assaults.

The program, run in conjunction with Crime Stoppers, has involved posters being put up in lockable steel and Perspex cases in 40 manned train stations around the city.

Inspector Philip Green of the Victoria Police transit safety division said offenders were often quickly identified through the posters, with many ''shamed'' into turning themselves in by friends and family members who had seen the images.

On the Hurstbridge line, several youths were charged with criminal damage offences following a confession by one of the offenders after he, his sister and their mother separately noticed one of the posters and contacted authorities. An offender on the Craigieburn line was identified as his poster was being put up.

On Thursday, a 16-year-old girl wanted for attempted robbery and assault committed on the Frankston line in late April surrendered to police after learning her photo was on a poster. She has since made a statement against her co-accused.

''No one wants an unsafe public transport system and commuters are intolerant of people who commit crimes or damage the system. They've been taking ownership of it and we've been seeing the result,'' Inspector Green said.

The effectiveness of the program, which has been in limited operation since 2004, was boosted after the train network's ageing CCTV system received a $8.6 million upgrade to digital video over the past year. There are about 3000 cameras covering train carriages, platforms, station waiting areas and car parks.

''If you commit a crime, we will get footage of you to put up,'' Inspector Green said.

[Golliwog]

Haha! Brilliant idea.

[#Metro]

I love it.
Roll out in Brisbane!