Frontline police say the trial of Richmond's safe injecting room has led to a spike in crime and mental health issues in the area.

Local officers were surveyed by the Police Association, which has proposed moving the injecting room to an industrial precinct because of the centre's impact on crime since it opened in July last year.

However, Police Minister Lisa Neville said crime rates had actually fallen since the trial began, which has triggered a fierce backlash from some local residents and opponents of softer drug laws.

Discarded needles in Richmond. Credit:ninevms

Ms Neville's claim is supported by recent data from the Crime Statistic Agency that shows the total number of offences in Richmond dropped from 2529 to 2198 during the first six months of the trial.