{
  "id": 19745341,
  "title": "Vandals increasingly targeting Melbourne's bus shelters, data suggests",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/vandals-increasingly-targeting-melbournes-bus-shelters-data-suggests",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-13T02:47:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-13/bus-shelter-vandalism-reports-spike-melbourne-2026/107320116"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Melbourne has seen a doubling in public transport vandalism reports over the past year, according to data from the Snap Send Solve app. The Victorian government confirms bus shelters are the most common target, with nearly 3,700 reports in the last 12 months. The app recorded over 5,700 such reports between October 2025 and last month. Snap Send Solve's CEO, Danny Gorog, attributes this to specific targeting of bus shelters. The suburbs in Melbourne's north-east and south-east have recorded the highest number of vandalism reports. Graffiti and broken glass are the most frequently reported issues. The Victorian government spends about $10 million annually on removing and repairing graffiti on the train network. However, it does not provide a figure for bus shelter repairs. Public Transport Users Association spokesperson Daniel Bowen says bus shelter vandalism is particularly bothersome, especially in extreme weather. The Shire of Nillumbik reported an average of one vandalism report every two days. The Department of Transport and Planning is using drones and new tracking technology to combat vandalism, encouraging reports via Victoria Police.",
  "summary": "Reports of vandalism at Melbourne bus stops have more than doubled over the past 12 months, according to a popular app.",
  "key_points": [
    "Melbourne bus shelters experienced a 100% increase in vandalism reports over the past year.",
    "Nearly 3,700 vandalism reports were filed in the last 12 months, according to Snap Send Solve data.",
    "Graffiti and broken glass are the most common issues reported in targeted bus shelters."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The surge in targeted damage to bus shelters forces commuters to endure broken glass and graffiti while testing the effectiveness of new surveillance technologies deployed by the state.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}