Eight people were arrested during a three-day safety blitz across Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Operation Delta was run by Westgate Alliance Taskforce and Maribyrnong Crime Investigation Unit from 15 – 17 March.
Officers patrolled the Footscray CBD, West Footscray and Braybrook areas to detect and deter anti-social behaviour around local shopping strips, licensed premises and parks.
Another focus of the operation targetted known offenders by patrolling hotspot areas and attending properties for bail compliance checks.
Police also scanned more than 190 vehicles using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology.
This led to them locating a 17-year-old Werribee boy behind the wheel of a car – with methylamphetamine and cannabis allegedly in his possession.
The boy is expected to be charged on summons with driving unlicensed, driving unregistered, driving with fraudulent number plates affixed to the vehicle and possessing drugs of dependence.
Police are also now making further enquiries into the ownership of the vehicle.
A further people were spoken to over the weekend and eight were arrested for a range of offences. The reasons for arrest included being wanted for car theft and burglary, being on warrant for failing to appear at court and possessing methylamphetamine.
Officers also conducted five bail compliance checks in Tarneit and Werribee to ensure those on offenders on bail were abiding by their conditions.
Maribyrnong Crime Investigation Unit Detective Senior Sergeant Megan O’Sullivan said the police want Footscray to not only be safe, but feel safe.
“That’s why we’re proactively targeting the CBD and surrounding areas to deter and disrupt anti-social behaviour,“ Detective Senior Sergeant O’Sullivan said.
“We’re also putting known offenders on notice by patrolling hotspot areas and ensuring those on bail are complying with their conditions.
“The roads also continue to be a major focus for us – and we have zero tolerance for those who get behind the wheel when they shouldn’t be.”
