Victoria Police says Geelong shopping centres are set to see a major boost in officers with Operation Pulse expanding to the region.
The operation – which has been running across Melbourne’s largest shopping centres since December – will see teams of police and Protective Services Officers (PSOs) deploy to Geelong for the first time.
From today, officers will patrol key CBD retail locations including Westfield Geelong, Market Square and the Moorabool Street bus interchange to deter crime and boost safety.
Victoria Police says the operation has been highly successful at Melbourne shopping centres, with more than 1,200 arrests and 2,400 charges laid in six months. More than half of these offences are related to retail theft.
It says the overt presence of officers has also led to a significant reduction in violent crimes against other people, with only 3% of charges laid in relation to offences such as assault and affray.
“We’ve been incredibly focused on Geelong CBD this year with several operations running including the new dedicated tasking team which has made more than a dozen arrests,” said Western Region Acting Commander Michael Reid.
“This team is run in addition to our regular patrol units and is dedicated solely to the Geelong CBD every day.
“Already they have hit the ground running, working closely with council and retailers to boost the safety and amenity of the city.
“The Pulse shifts will complement this work with extra boots on the ground to prevent and detect offending at shopping centres.
“Anyone coming to Geelong CBD to steal or cause a fight should know you will be met by police and swiftly arrested.”
Operation Pulse shifts will complement the work of a local CBD tasking team which hit the streets mid-May.
The team brings together officers from Geelong Uniform who are dedicated solely to the Geelong CBD.
Their role spans beyond shopping locations, with regular patrols conducted across CBD laneways, the Moorabool Street bus interchange and Geelong foreshore.
They have also been working closely with council and key stakeholders to engage with those experiencing homelessness and offer support pathways.
While crime data shows offending on Little Malop and Moorabool streets is around 25% lower than it was pre-pandemic, the tasking team continues to prioritise these areas to improve the feeling of safety.
In two weeks, the team has made 14 arrests and laid 20 charges for a range of offences across the CBD including theft, affray, drug possession and public nuisance.
This includes two 39-year-old women who were caught allegedly attempting to steal more than $900 of goods from a clothing store at a Geelong shopping centre.
Four teenagers, three aged 14 and one 13, were also arrested and charged by the team following an alleged affray.
“Operation Pulse has been running with great success at major shopping centres in Melbourne over the last six months and we’re confident it will have a positive impact in Geelong,” said Acting Assistant Commissioner Operation Pulse Commander Matthew Baynes.
“Pulse teams have been detecting crime in record numbers, with more than 1,200 prolific shop lifters, offenders carrying weapons and criminals in stolen cars at shopping centre carparks arrested in just six months.
“The feedback we’ve received so far from retailers and shoppers has been immensely positive.
“The visible presence not only prevents crime but improves the sense of safety which is just as important.”
Operation Pulse has run with success at several major shopping centres in Melbourne including Pacific Werribee, Bayside Frankston, Highpoint, Fountain Gate, Northland, Watergardens, Southland and Eastland. While shifts rotate between centres, officers can be flexibly deployed based on intelligence, Victoria Police said.
All shifts are voluntary, meaning there is no impact on police stations or railway stations as police and PSOs are working at shopping centres in addition to existing shifts.
Pulse will run until the end of the year.
