Last Thursday, a 24-year-old Lilydale man was arrested after stealing a handbag from a commuter, Navneet, who did not want her surname revealed.

The man was apprehended by an off-duty police officer, Detective Senior Constable Brett Tamblyn, and bystander Paul. The off-duty member chased down the man and tackled him to the ground at the intersection of Wantirna Road and Station Street.

The incident follows a spate of misbehaviour at the station over the past three months.

On August 9 a 23-year-old Lilydale man was stabbed by a group of four teenagers at Ringwood train station, leaving him with a 25-centimetre wound. And in July, a fire was lit in a train carriage of a Ringwood-bound train by two youths.

Warrandyte MP Ryan Smith said the need for installing zoom security cameras at the station was urgent.

"This issue has been of vital importance to the safety of commuters ... and has been consistently handballed by this government at every opportunity.

"Last year, I was approached by the local police and asked to continue to campaign for these cameras, a call that was soon echoed by the Ringwood Chamber of Commerce."

He said these events must surely bring home to the Government that there was a serious need for the cameras.

"The installation of these cameras are an essential tool to assist police and deter this sort of crime."

Senior Sergeant Stuart McGregor of the Ringwood police said there was a effective system of patrols working in the area around the station.

"We also work hand in hand with the transit police and provide assistance to them when needed."

Ringwood railway station was also earmarked for a State Government upgrade, but was overlooked for funding in the 2008-09 budget. Eastern Metropolitan MP Shaun Leane said he would still lobby for the upgrade of Ringwood railway station for funding to be allocated before next year's state budget.