Wyndham police are donning taxi driver uniforms and posing as cabbies as part of an “unusual and unconventional” way to fight crime.
Senior Sergeant Aaron Riches said the tactic was aimed at boosting taxi driver and public safety. He said it would also give police a “great opportunity” to catch people on outstanding warrants.
On Friday afternoon, two police officers in 13CABS uniforms and driving a taxi patrolled the area around Pacific Werribee and nearby public transport hubs.
At the same time, police officers patrolled the shopping centre on foot.
Senior Sergeant Riches said the operation was a success, with officers arresting five people for shoplifting.
He said Wyndham police would continue to run the taxi-based operations on a regular basis until Christmas at busy locations such as shopping centres and carparks.
“It is something different – it is something a bit left of centre and out of the box,” he said.
Senior Sergeant Riches said there was a very good chance passengers getting into taxis in Wyndham would find police officers dressed as cabbies operating the vehicle.
“That may happen and there may have to be a conversation that this cab isn’t for hire,” he said.
Senior Sergeant Riches said that although many Melbourne taxi drivers experienced crime while they were on the job, the new police operation was a “pro-active” campaign rather than a response to any recent offences against cabbies.
Senior Sergeant Riches said the new police tactics would not take the place of the Tiger Team security patrols run by 13CABS but would “complement them”.
“We hope this will create some conversation around taxi drivers and the good work they do and make people think twice about acting up,” he said.
Senior Sergeant Riches said police in Wyndham and Maribyrnong were working on other ways to help boost safety for cabbies, with their findings to be submitted to 13CABS and the Taxi Services Commission for consideration.
He encouraged anyone with information about crimes committed against taxi drivers to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
