POLICE have arrested three men following a two month joint investigation by the Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT) and Youth Tasking Unit into exploitation of vulnerable youth in the Geelong area.<\/p>\n
Police executed a number of warrants at residential properties in Winchelsea, Geelong and Herne Hill on July 25 at about 7am as part of Operation Epicycle.<\/p>\n
Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Harvey from Geelong SOCIT said Victoria Police was committed to protecting vulnerable children and young people at risk of exploitation.<\/p>\n
\u201cInvestigations such as this one highlight how seriously police take the exploitation of vulnerable children and youth in our community.<\/p>\n
\u201cPolice are committed to acting swiftly to protect children and young people at risk of sexual exploitation and disrupt those who prey on them.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a result of the investigation, a 59-year-old from Geelong was arrested and charged with offences including three counts of indecent act with a child under 16, assault with a weapon, unlawful imprisonment, nine counts of supplying a drug of dependence to a child and six counts of introducing a drug of dependence to the body of another. He has been remanded to appear at Geelong Magistrates\u2019 Court on October 5.<\/p>\n
A 52-year-old from Herne Hill was also arrested and charged with offences including threat to commit a sexual offence, unlawful imprisonment, four counts of supplying a drug of dependence to a child, two counts of introducing a drug of dependence to the body of another, and two counts of recruiting a child to engage in criminal activity. He has also been remanded to appear at Geelong Magistrates\u2019 Court on October 5.<\/p>\n
The third person to be arrested, a 45-year-old from Winchelsea, was charged with offences including three counts of trafficking a drug of dependence to a child and supply drug of dependence to a child. He has been remanded to appear at Geelong Magistrates\u2019 Court on August 22.<\/p>\n
Anyone who has information or would like to make a report about exploitation of vulnerable youth in the Geelong area is encouraged to contact Geelong SOCIT on 5264 8100.<\/p>\n
Anonymous reports can also be made to Crime Stoppers online or by calling 1800 333 000.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
POLICE have arrested three men following a two month joint investigation by the Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT) and Youth Tasking Unit into exploitation of vulnerable youth in the Geelong area. Police executed a number of warrants at residential properties in Winchelsea, Geelong and Herne Hill on July 25 at about 7am […]<\/p>\n