Cade Lucas
Altona and Williamstown beaches will have an increased police presence from now until the end of summer thanks to Operation Summersafe launched on Thursday.
The police operation will run day and night over summer at both Hobsons Bay beaches as well as other popular swimming spots such as St Kilda, Half Moon Bay and across the Mornington Peninsula.
Local police will be assisted in the operation by water police, public order response teams, highway patrol, transit safety police, mounted police and the dog squad.
Operation Summersafe officers will do proactive patrols and respond to incidents along foreshores and nearby parks, entertainment precincts and public transport hubs.
Nigel McGuire White said police would be closely monitoring those operating water craft too.
“We will also have members out on the water and patrolling the shoreline to ensure that jet ski riders aren’t putting swimmers in danger,” he said.
“Riders who put other beach goers in harm’s way can expect to be charged with a criminal offence, and some may even have their jet skis seized. Riders can and will be drug and alcohol tested, just like drivers on the road, and they can also have their jet skis seized and impounded, just like cars.”
Operation Summersafe officers will also utilise an extensive CCTV network to monitor crime in real-time, allowing them to respond to incidents quickly, and de-escalate crimes as or before they occur.
Designated areas will also be subject to weapons searches – called OMNI operations – where police target those carrying concealed weapons under the Control of Weapons Act 1990.
Victoria Police say the Operation Summersafe is necessary to ensure community safety and will be centred around maintaining public order, detecting and disrupting crime, and keeping all road users safe.
The operation began on November 21 and will run until March 2025.
