A summer safety blitz at foreshore locations across Melbourne is ramping up as beachgoers gear up for the first weekend of summer.
Operation Summersafe - running until March next year - will see a bolstered police presence across key locations including St Kilda, Half Moon Bay, Altona and Williamstown, as well across the Mornington Peninsula.
Residents and visitors should expect an increase in proactive police patrols along the foreshore as well as surrounding parks, entertainment precincts and public transport hubs.
General duties police will work alongside specialist units including the Mounted Branch, Water Police, Public Order Response Team, Highway Patrol and Transit Safety Division.
Specially fitted vans, called mobile policing units, will be deployed across the busiest areas. They will serve as a central hub for police to engage with the community and monitor any anti-social or criminal behaviour.
Police will have access to an extensive CCTV network so they can share real-time intelligence and task officers to areas of concern to tackle any problems before they escalate.
Outside of Melbourne there will be dedicated local operations at busy summer destinations including the Surf Coast and Bass Coast.
Victoria Police's approach will be centred around keeping the community safe by maintaining public order, detecting and disrupting criminal offending, and keeping the roads safe through roadside drug and alcohol tests.
The effort will run day and night.
Victoria Police is warning anyone drinking to excess or taking illicit substances that fuel violence, risk-taking behaviour and impaired driving will not be tolerated.
Police ask everyone enjoying our beaches to respect the safety of others including local communities.
To report any suspicious or anti-social behaviour, phone the Police Assistance Line on 131 444. In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000)
Quotes attributed to Port Phillip Local Area Commander, Inspector Jackie Kline:
"With weather expected to hit over 30 degrees for the first time in a long time this weekend, police have well and truly flicked the switch on Operation Summersafe.
"We look forward to seeing all community members and visitors enjoy what our foreshore locations have to offer, but we ask they keep safety front of mind.
"Everyone has the right to enjoy summer safely. If you choose to selfishly impact the celebrations of those around you, expect a swift response from police."
Quotes attributed to Hobsons Bay Local Area Commander, Inspector Timothy O'Connor:
"Wherever or however, you choose to celebrate summer, we ask that you respect the community that you are in so that we can all celebrate summer safely."
"We have zero tolerance for any selfish or anti-social behaviour that threatens the safety of our community.
"We will be maintaining a strong presence across our coastal and foreshore locations, maintaining public order and detecting and disrupting any criminal offending."
