Surf Coast police announce summer crackdown

Coastal police forces will bring in reinforcements from Melbourne to crackdown on anti-social behaviour and drink driving during a busy summer period.

Police officers Leading Senior Constable Rodger Licheni and First Constable Bill Dow on Torquay foreshore as the Summer season starts. Picture: Brad Fleet

Coastal police forces will bring in reinforcements from Melbourne to crackdown on anti-social behaviour and drink driving during a busy summer period.

Under the crackdown, Melbourne police will be assisting local officers at peak times and extra highway patrol cars will be checking the region’s busy areas.

Surf Coast local area commander Inspector Monique Leffanue said last summer had seen a rise in

“We’ll be targeting unruly, inappropriate behaviour,” she said.

“Police will also be cracking down on drunk driving and traffic offences along the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula.”

The latest crime statistics revealed there had been 151 assaults in the Surf Coast in the year to June this year, representing a 10-year-high.

Non-domestic violence related assaults were up 50 per cent on the previous year, and had boomed by 125 per cent since 2019.

“People can expect police to have a very visible presence,” Inspector Leffanue said.

“We’ll be ensuring our licensed premises are looking after their patrons. We want people to have a good time, and we want to make sure it’s done respectfully and safely.”

Melburnians are expected to flock to the region’s beaches to welcome the first weekend of summer.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Geelong can expect sunny conditions and a light breeze over the weekend with a top of 30 degrees.

Police officers Leading Senior Constable Rodger Licheni and First Constable Bill Dow on Torquay foreshore as the Summer season starts. Picture: Brad Fleet

Ahead of the holiday season Inspector Leffanue also urged people to make the right decisions when getting behind the wheel of their cars.

Ten people have died on Geelong region roads this year, double last year’s death toll.

“If you drink or take drugs and drive, we will catch you,” she said.

“We love it when people come down to the Bellarine and Surf Coast to enjoy themselves, but please do it responsibly.”

Just last week Surf Coast police announced extra police would patrol the region as 1000 schoolies prepared to descend on Torquay and Lorne.

“We won’t tolerate drinking in public places … there are many places where they can drink but do it safely and responsibly,” Insp Leffanue said last week.

“We’ve got numerous police officers from this area and also from Melbourne who will be coming down to patrol.”

Originally published as Surf Coast police announce summer crackdown