Up to 70 students, most from India, and 10 police officers from across western suburbs' police stations, came together for the event, which followed a spate of robberies of Indian students. Footscray police's multicultural liaison officer, Leading Senior Constable Victor Robb, said it was important police built trust and understanding on the critical issue of student safety on streets, public transport or at the beach.

"Cricket is an international language," he said.

International Student Association president Aron Kumar said many Indian students thought of police differently at home.

Police said the number of robberies targeting Indian students in the western suburbs had dropped from 28 in January to five so far this month.