A new police operation has commenced as police look to bolster their presence in popular tourism destinations to deter anti-social behaviour.
From now until the end of March 2023, Operation Summersafe will see a bolstered police presence across popular coastal locations including St Kilda, Half Moon Bay, Altona, and Williamstown through to the Mornington Peninsula and the Rye foreshore.
As part of the operation, Yarra Ranges visitors to these areas can expect to see an increase in proactive police patrols across popular beaches and surrounding locations including parks, entertainment districts and public transport hubs.
Local police will work collaboratively with a variety of specialist resources including the Mounted Branch, Water Police, Public Order Response Team, Highway Patrol, and the Transit Safety Division.
Along with having boots on the ground where they are needed most, the Mobile Policing Unit will also be deployed in our busiest areas, serving as a central hub for police to engage with the community and also monitor any anti-social or criminal behaviour.
Police will also have access to an extensive CCTV network across our coastal locations, allowing them to share real-time information, task officers to specific locations to de-escalate incidents before they escalate and stop crime in its tracks.
Police across other popular summer destinations, including the Surf Coast and Bass Coast, also have dedicated local operations in place to ensure everyone gets home safely.
As always, our approach is centred around keeping the community safe by maintaining public order, detecting, and disrupting criminal offending and keeping our roads safe by conducting roadside drug and alcohol tests.
We know the majority of our community will do the right thing, celebrate the warmer months safely and drink responsibly. However, sadly, there will always be those who choose to take their celebrations too far by binge drinking.
Drinking to excess or taking illicit substances can contribute to alcohol-fuelled violence, risk-taking behaviour and drink or impaired driving. This behaviour is especially concerning for police as it has the potential to cause harm not only to the individual, but also to those around them.
We ask no matter where or how you choose to celebrate summer, respect the safety of those around you, respect the local community and respect the public amenities or risk facing the consequences for your actions.
To report any suspicious or anti-social behaviour, call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444. In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000)
