Geelong patrols ramp up for school holidays

Shoppers visiting Geelong’s major retail precincts during the winter school holidays can expect to see an increased police presence as Victoria Police expands Operation Pulse across the state.

The proactive operation, which has been running since December, has been strengthened over the two-week school holiday period, with additional police and Protective Services Officers (PSOs) patrolling all nine participating shopping centres, including key CBD retail locations in Geelong.

Previously, officers rotated between four major shopping centres each day. The holiday boost means every participating centre will receive dedicated patrols throughout the break.

Victoria Police said all Operation Pulse shifts are voluntary and carried out in addition to officers’ regular duties, meaning there is no impact on frontline policing or Melbourne’s rail network.

Since Operation Pulse began on 8 December, police have made 1,417 arrests and laid 2,909 charges. Shop theft offences account for almost half of those charges, with drug offences the second most common.

Police have also seized 224 weapons and 247 quantities of drugs, while checking more than 20,500 vehicles during the operation.

Those arrested have included prolific shoplifters, people carrying weapons and offenders using stolen vehicles in shopping centre car parks.

Recent arrests under Operation Pulse include a woman accused of stealing a $600 handbag before allegedly returning days later to use it to conceal stolen clothing worth $500, a teenager accused of stealing a knife from a supermarket and hiding it down his pants, and a man allegedly found carrying firearms, knuckledusters, nunchucks, ammunition and drugs following a foot chase.

Victoria Police said the increased visibility aims to deter offending, reassure shoppers and businesses, and quickly respond to incidents during one of the busiest retail periods of the year.