Special zones where you can exchange items safely are being established at 35 police stations across Victoria from this week.
A safer alternative to meeting strangers at your home or a park, Safer Exchange Sites are:
based outside 24-hour police stations in well-lit areas monitored by CCTV.The roll-out of these sites follows successful trials across Melbourne’s north-east in 2022. During the trial’s six-month evaluation period, thefts and robberies in the area from online sales decreased.
So next time you’re looking at a new set of jousting sticks or something to go under that fancy new patio, organise to meet up at your local Safer Exchange Site.
Police stations with Safer Exchange Sites
The below 24-hour police stations offer a Safer Exchange Site.
Metropolitan Melbourne Safer Exchange Sites
- Altona Police Station
- Broadmeadows Police Station
- Caulfield Police Station
- Dandenong Police Station
- Fawkner Police Station
- Heidelberg Police Station
- Melbourne East Police Station
- Melbourne North Police Station
- Melbourne West Police Station
- Melton Police Station
- Mernda Police Station
- Mill Park Police Station
- Moonee Ponds Police Station
- Moorabbin Police Station
- Mooroolbark Police Station
- Pakenham Police Station
- Prahran Police Station
- Preston Police Station
- Richmond Police Station
- St. Kilda Police Station
- Werribee Police Station.
Regional Victoria Safer Exchange Sites
- Bacchus Marsh Police Station
- Ballarat Police Station
- Bendigo Police Station
- Castlemaine Police Station
- Corio Police Station
- Echuca Police Station
- Geelong Police Station
- Horsham Police Station
- Maryborough Police Station
- Mildura Police Station
- Morwell Police Station
- Swan Hill Police Station
- Warrnambool Police Station.
Tips to stay safe during online marketplace meet-ups
To stay safer during online marketplace meet-ups, you should:
- consider the risks of meeting a person you don’t know
- meet during daylight hours, where possible
- bring a friend or family member with you to the exchange
- learn how to stay safe from online shopping scams.
Find your nearest one and more information here