Protective service officers, or PSOs, will be deployed in numbers across greater Melbourne shopping centres in the lead-up to Christmas to patrol and prevent offences.
"Police are very determined to turn around and address the unacceptable levels of crime in the state of Victoria," Chief Commissioner Mike Bush told reporters on Saturday.
"We ... are very disturbed by the level of violence and dishonesty in our shopping centres and a more visible police presence will do a lot to prevent harm and crime in those areas.
"We will deploy into shopping centres, at least our top 10 ... the ones that have suffered more than others in terms of crime in those communities that should not be tolerated."
In September, a knife fight between rival gangs at Melbourne's Northland Shopping Centre sent people running for their lives and led to the government fast-tracking an interim ban on machete sales.
Victoria Police will also receive funding for more than 800 hand-held metal detectors so officers can detect knives and machetes more effectively.
The opposition has been pushing for legislation similar to Queensland's "Jack's Law" which allows police to randomly search people for weapons using handheld metal detectors.
From the new year, PSOs will be deployed across the train network on platforms and in carriages, with some stations having 24/7 coverage.
The nature of crime in Victoria had changed and therefore the way police fight it would change, Police Minister Anthony Carbines said.
"We need to put more local police and PSOs where the problems are now ... they'll be riding on the trains and controlling interchanges and shopping areas, protecting people morning to night," he said.
"It's about being smarter and more visible policing presence based on intelligence."
Record youth crime rates and several high-profile attacks have put the Allan government on the back foot throughout 2025, with reforms to bail, machete sales and ankle monitoring devices.
The government announced new measures to stop kids getting involved in violent offences, introducing adult time for teenagers over 14 who commit serious crimes.
The latest move means children who commit violence will face adult punishment in adult courts, with jail time and longer sentences more likely.
Premier Jacinta Allan announced this week the state will also introduce life sentences for youth gang recruiters, saying dragging a child into a life of violence amounts to child abuse.
"We're focused on consequences (and) reinforcing boundaries," Ms Allan said in a statement on Saturday.
"Making it absolutely clear: if you choose violence, there are serious penalties."
But the premier also flagged the state would introduce measures to stop crime before it starts, with youth intervention programs to keep kids at risk of turning to violence on track.
"That's what prevention is all about and we'll never stop doing that work," she said.
"There's more to come."
Meanwhile, Victoria moved on Friday to follow other states and territories with legislation to toughen penalties for assaults on retail workers and other frontline staff.
The new laws create an offence for people who assault or threaten to assault workers in shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, shopping centres, taxis and Ubers.
The indictable offence will carry a maximum sentence of five years' jail.
