Residents in Melbourne’s south-east can now connect online with local police to help them fight crime and support community safety.

Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams today joined senior police to officially launch Eyewatch Dandenong – a new Facebook page for residents to engage with police on crime and community safety issues.

The new online platform will also help police track down offenders, and has proven to be a valuable tool to locate missing and wanted persons.

The page covers the Dandenong Police Service Area, which includes Dandenong, Dandenong North and South, and parts of Noble Park and Keysborough.

The Victorian Government is committed to giving police the resources, powers and technology they need to keep the community safe.

This new eye on crime comes as the government announced a record $2 billion investment in police, which will see another 2729 police – including 415 family violence officers – recruited over the next four years. Another 100 Protective Services Officers will also be recruited over this period.

A state-wide 24-hour Police Assistance Line for non-emergency calls and a new reporting website will be set up to ensure people can contact police when and where they need to.

Expanded Automatic Number Plate Recognition will also help police target dangerous and unauthorised driving on our roads.

Police in the Greater Dandenong area are working around the clock to fight and prevent crime, with a strong focus on aggravated burglaries, theft of motor vehicle and other high-volume crimes.

There are now 24 Eyewatch Facebook pages across Victoria, including in nearby Casey, Frankston and Knox, keeping communities up-to-date about crime and local police stations.

Since its launch in February 2012, Eyewatch Facebook pages has gained more than 200,000 followers, who have helped police make arrests and locate stolen goods.

Quotes attributable to Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams

“We know that the community is usually the first to know crucial information. Eyewatch Facebook pages are great ways for them to quickly share this information with the police and their neighbours.”

“I encourage anyone who lives in these areas to join the page, and help contribute to a safer community.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Lisa Neville

“Thanks to the new Eyewatch Facebook page, Dandenong residents can feel safer knowing there’s a place they can find the latest information about community safety issues and local police initiatives.”

“We are delivering the biggest police recruitment drive in Victorian history – giving the Chief Commissioner every single police officer he needs to keep communities like Dandenong and the south-east safe.”