CRIME and antisocial behaviour is being targeted these school holidays as police roll out a new patrol team at Maribyrnong’s Highpoint shopping centre.
The Highpoint public assistance team will mirror the work of the patrol running in Footscray’s CBD since last year, carrying out regular surveillance both in the shopping centre and surrounding car parks.
Additional police will also crack down on shoplifting, motor vehicle and bike offences, deceptions, assaults and public order offences as part of the week-long Operation Take Away.
Leading Senior Constable Lee Kendrick said the operation aimed at ensuring a safe, enjoyable shopping experience for people through a highly visible police presence.
“Highpoint shopping centre is one of the busiest centres in the state. During the school and public holidays, evidence shows that offences increase, including theft of and from motor vehicles and shoplifting,” he said.
The regular foot patrols come on the heels of a similar program in the Footscray CBD, credited with playing a part in the area’s 6 per cent drop in crime in the year to March.
Police Minister Kim Wells said the back-to-basics policing initiative had helped forge stronger ties between police, traders, communities and social welfare groups.
