More than 80 arrested in Geelong CBD, Corio following special police operation

Dozens of people have been nabbed in a school holiday operation that saw a hatchet, a cutthroat blade and a pocket knife seized in weapon spot searches across Geelong.

Police seized dangerous weapons including an axe, cutthroat blade and pocket knife during a crackdown on antisocial behaviour across Geelong’s CBD during the school holidays.

A two-week blitz targeting unruly behaviour, shop theft and roadside checks resulted in 63 arrests in the CBD, with witnesses describing a heavy police presence on Little Malop St on Monday.

Geelong officers and members of the Public Order Response Team carried out random checks on hundreds of pedestrians and motorists, with more than 45 cautions issued and 36 people busted for speeding or using mobile phones while driving.

Police in Little Malop St in the Geelong CBD on Monday as part of the operation.

Police also swooped on several Corio locations on Friday as part of an OMNI operation, seizing a small handheld hatchet, a cutthroat beard shaver and a pocket knife.
The search, aimed at detecting weapons at public transport hubs and major shopping precincts, netted 18 arrests and was focused near Corio Village.

In a separate OMNI activity in the Geelong shopping strip earlier this week, two boys allegedly carrying a plastic firearm, plastic knife and a pocket knife were cautioned, with one fined.

Acting Sergeant Adam Barnes said despite the items being “plastic toys”, it raised concerns.

“That’s why we’re having direct conversations with young people and their parents – to explain the risks and encourage better decisions in future,” he said.

Acting Sergeant Barnes said while theft remained a problem, he was encouraged that not a single offence against a person was recorded during the operation.

Police have been conducting operations in Geelong's CBD to crack down on anti-social behaviour and knife crime.

One Geelong man, 54, allegedly caught stealing from a shop and with drugs, was wanted on several outstanding warrants and charged with three counts of shop theft, possess drug of dependence, fail to answer bail and four counts of commit indictable offence while on bail.

He was again bailed to appear in a Geelong court on September 30.

A Geelong woman, 34, will also front court on September 29 on a theft charge.

Several anti-social incidents have been reported near the troubled Market Square shopping centre on Little Malop St in recent weeks.

Witnesses reported hearing a “a loud bang” on Thursday and three people allegedly fleeing on bikes.

The incident prompted Market Square security patrols and frightened some office workers.

It comes after the City of Greater Geelong mayor, Stretch Kontelj, joined police and the Geelong Advertiser on a patrol of the areas night-life scene in June, and amid concerns by some CBD traders in the precinct.

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Originally published as More than 80 arrested in Geelong CBD, Corio following special police operation