Police run weapons blitz in Geelong’s CBD

POLICE ran a blitz on people carrying weapons in Geelong’s CBD earlier this month, searching more than 40 people.

No weapons were detected in the OMNI operation, which is the first in a series being staged in the area, and police will continue the bolstered presence as a deterrent to anyone considering carrying a prohibited weapon.

The July 8 operation followed the police declaring a designated area under the Control of Weapons Act 1990 in central Geelong, 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.

“Operations like these send a clear message that carrying a knife won’t be tolerated,” Geelong local area commander Acting Inspector Nicholas Uebergang said.

 

“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 one priority is keeping people safe, and [the] operation is just one of many to come.”