Victoria Police mountain branch assists with Geelong CBD knife operation

Police on horseback have assisted in a targeted weapons search as part of a special operation aimed at tackling knife crime across Geelong.

Geelong police conducted a weapons operation in the Geelong CBD on Friday. Picture: Karen Dodd

Police on horseback have assisted a targeted weapons search as part of a special operation aimed at tackling knife crime across Geelong.

Geelong Acting Inspector Nicholas Uebergang told the Geelong Advertiser more than 106 people were searched and spoken to in the CBD on Friday.

It followed a similar amount conducted at the Corio Village last week, resulting in the arrest of a man after he was found carrying a knife in the busy shopping precinct.

Police conducted a similar operation at Corio Village last week. Photo: Alison Wynd.

Two people were arrested for outstanding warrants during the city search, with 14 penalty notices handed out for other offences.

“Pleasingly, no weapons were found which is a positive for our community,” Insp Uebergang said.

“It is also an indication that our efforts to run highly visible operations are effectively deterring individuals from carrying prohibited weapons.

“Rest assured, we will continue these proactive measures to ensure the safety and security of our community.”

The operation, dubbed OMNI, involved more than 20 uniformed officers and members from the public order response team and the mounted branch.

Insp Uebergang said police would remain highly visible in the coming months “with more OMNI operations planned.”

Originally published as Victoria Police mountain branch assists with Geelong CBD knife operation