A strong police presence will continue across Melbourne’s CBD this month, with multiple planned operations around key locations and major events.
This will see police heavily represented across the city grid, as well as the Southbank promenade and the MCG.
Victoria Police resourcing is traditionally bolstered throughout the CBD during September, given the increased patronage and raft of major events.
Given last Friday’s incident on Bourke and Russell streets, Victoria Police wants to ensure the community feels confident visiting and enjoying the city as the weather improves, footy finals reach their climax, and school holidays begin.
Over coming weeks, visitors to the city can expect to see general duties officers, as well as specialist police including the Mounted Branch, Water Police, Air Wing and Public Order Response Team out in force.
Commuters can also expect to see transit police conducting a number of Omni operations at major CBD train stations and community hubs to detect weapons offences.
Omni operations give police additional powers to search for weapons in a designated area and serves as a deterrent to the small number of people who choose to carry weapons.
These operations are in addition to the regular patrols transit police and PSOs conduct at all metropolitan train stations from 6pm until the last train each night, with additional resources on weekends.
With school holidays around the corner, police are also turning their efforts to city shopping centres to engage with youth, detect shop theft and deter any anti-social behaviour.
This particular operation will run throughout the entire school holiday period.
With capacity crowds expected at the ‘G over the final three weeks of the season, footy fans can expect to see significant numbers of police both inside and outside the venue as they cheer on their team.
Police officers will also be around licensed venues in the CBD and areas such as Yarra pre- and post-game, ensuring fans are celebrating or commiserating responsibly.
This work will involve officers conducting liquor licensing checks around the safe service of alcohol and patron behaviour.
Local police will also continue their work with The Salvation Army and City of Melbourne to support people experiencing homelessness and ensure they have access to essential services.
Quotes attributable to Commander Mark Galliott, North West Metro Region:
“With Melbourne preparing for one of the busiest months on the calendar, plans have been underway for some time to ensure the city is safe and enjoyable for all.
“Melbourne remains an overwhelmingly safe place to live and visit – latest data shows overall crime in the Melbourne LGA is at its lowest levels since 2015 and has decreased 5.5 per cent from pre-pandemic.
“However, we understand last Friday’s incident will have concerned the community.
“We want to provide those people with the confidence to visit the city during what is traditionally an exciting and vibrant time of year.
“Expect to see police on bikes, in cars, on foot and in the sky – targeting all areas of safety.
“Police will be highly visible and are well-equipped to respond to any public order or safety issues.”
