Special zones where buyers and sellers can exchange items purchased online have been established outside 35 24-hour police stations across Victoria.
The exchange sites provide people transacting items listed on online marketplaces with a safer alternative than meeting unknown people at locations such as their homes, parks, or carparks.
Each Safer Exchange Site has clear signage outside the 24-hour police station, as well as CCTV coverage and lighting.
The roll-out of these sites follows a successful trial which commenced at a small number of 24-hour police stations across Melbourne's northeast in mid-2022.
During the trial's six-month evaluation period, thefts and robberies in the area stemming from online sales decreased, while police officers at these stations also observed people exchanging items on a regular basis.
This concept was originally developed following an increase in robberies, thefts and assaults linked to online trading, which peaked in 2020 before COVID lockdowns. Smartphones are the most common high value item stolen in these incidents.
While this offending slowed during the pandemic, Victoria Police did not want to see this trend return and Safer Exchange Sites were introduced as a result.
Exchange zones have been popular in the United States as online marketplaces continue to gain in popularity, with feedback indicating people feel safer meeting in designated sites with good lighting and CCTV.
Quotes attributable to Commander Tim Tully
"While the overall number of assaults, thefts and robberies connected to online exchanges is low, we don't want to see any occur.
"With the popularity of buying and selling items via online marketplaces continuing to grow, this initiative is all about police getting on the front foot to ensure an emerging crime theme doesn't become an embedded trend.
"While these sites are a safer alternative than meeting someone at your home or in a dimly lit area with no CCTV, we still encourage people to consider the risks of meeting a person they've never met before.
"Police suggest meeting during daylight hours if possible and bringing someone with you to the exchange.
24-hour police stations with Safer Exchange Sites
Metropolitan Regional
Altona Bacchus Marsh
Broadmeadows Ballarat
Caulfield Bendigo
Craigieburn Castlemaine
Dandenong Corio
Fawkner Echuca
Heidelberg* Geelong
Melbourne East Horsham
Melbourne North Maryborough
Melbourne West Mildura
Melton Morwell
Mernda* Swan Hill
Mill Park* Warrnambool
Moonee Ponds
Moorabbin
Mooroolbark
Pakenham
Prahran
Preston*
Richmond
St Kilda
*Part of original trial
