More than 40 people were searched in a weapons blitz in Geelong’s central business district.
The OMNI operation – held on Saturday 8 July – is the first in a series being staged in the area.
Pleasingly, no weapons were detected however police will continue the bolstered presence in a major deterrent to anyone considering carrying a prohibited weapon.
The operation occurred after police declared a designated area, allowing officers to search anyone for weapons.
Police from the Geelong’s Divisional Response Unit, uniform police and the Public Order Response Team saturated the shopping precinct, bus interchanges and surrounding roads.
A mobile policing unit – a large van fitted with similar equipment and technology found at a police station – was also deployed.
Police spoke with more than 60 people during the safety effort, patrolled inside eight licensed venues, and checked 13 vehicles.
Police also intercepted a vehicle on Moorabool Street after the driver allegedly disobeyed a traffic sign. The driver, a 49-year-old from Ballarat was driving with a suspended license and will appear in court at a later date.
The highly visible presence will continue in coming months with similar OMNI operations planned.
They are conducted under the Control of Weapons Act 1990 which gives Victoria Police power to declare a designated area for weapon searches.
Quotes attributed to Acting Inspector Nicholas Uebergang, Geelong Local Area Commander:
“Operations like these send a clear message that carrying a knife won’t be tolerated.
“While knife crime typically occurs between people who know each other we understand the concern felt in the community when this offending unfolds on the streets.
“The community should be reassured we are doing all we can to detect offenders and seize their weapons before further harm occurs.
“In an ideal world, we wouldn’t have to run operations like these but make no apologies for targeting those carrying weapons and looking for trouble.
“Our Number 1 priority is keeping people safe, and this weekend’s operation is just one of many to come.”
