While the streets in the CBD and surrounding suburbs are quieter than usual, Victoria Police officers are continuing to provide a visible presence and protect the city as part of Operation Nights Watch.
The operation, which commenced on 1 April as many Victorians were being urged to stay at home, involves uniform and plain clothes officers patrolling in and around streets, commercial businesses and industrial areas to disrupt criminal activity and opportunistic crimes.
Since the operation commenced, police have executed 37 warrants and arrested 90 people for offences including burglary, theft, drug-related and bail-related offending.
Operation Nights Watch is an ongoing operation covering Melbourne’s CBD, Docklands, Richmond, Collingwood, Fitzroy and Carlton.
A large majority of those arrested had outstanding warrants and were wanted in related to other matters, including:
On 1 April, a report was made regarding a male acting suspiciously near a commercial premise in Yarra. Police responded and a 33-year-old male was arrested for two outstanding warrants. He was also questioned in relation to six other burglaries. He was charged and remanded in custody to appear at court at a later date.
On 3 April, a stolen vehicle was tracked by the Police Airwing in Brunswick where 3 males were arrested. Two of those males were subsequently charged with theft of and from motor vehicle and handling stolen goods. They were bailed to appear at court at a later date. The other male was released pending enquiries.
Across 15 and 16 April, Operation Nights Watch officers identified three men acting suspiciously outside an apartment building on City Road. Investigations led to a 30-year-old male and a 33-year-old male from Melbourne, and a 28-year-old man from Queensland being arrested in relation to trafficking illicit drugs believed to be methylamphetamine, possessing a sawn-off shotgun with ammunition and possessing a stolen car. Following this investigation, police also executed a search warrant where two females from Melbourne were arrested. During this search warrant, police seized three vehicles which were affixed with cloned number plates.
Two of the men arrested on City Road were charged, with one remanded in custody and another bailed to appear at court at a later date. The other three people were released pending summons.
On 27 April, officers observed and spoke to a 39-year-old female at an address in Collingwood. She was wanted for questioning regarding ten separate theft-related incidents and was subsequently charged. She was remanded in custody to appear at court at a later date.
Officers issued 191 infringements for traffic related offences, intercepted 612 vehicles and impounded 3 vehicles as part of Operation Nights Watch.
While committing offences, 128 offenders were also found to be in breach of the directions of the Chief Health Officer and were issued with a $1,652 penalty notice.
Superintendent Darren Franks said police will continue to actively patrol the city and its surrounds to prevent and deter crime, including theft and property damage during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Local police are not standing by and waiting for crime to happen in our city – we have been actively patrolling the CBD and surrounds to prevent and deter crime,” Supt Franks said.
“This has also given us a really clear opportunity to apprehend offenders we have been trying to catch up with for some time and to ensure those individuals who have bail conditions are complying.
“Police normally dedicated to major events and patrolling community hot spots have been utilised throughout this operation, and they will continue to focus on protecting the city and its surrounds.
“While there are presently less businesses open and people on the streets, we will not be taking our foot off the pedal when it comes to arresting criminals, especially opportunistic thieves targeting businesses that have closed to help stop the spread of coronavirus.”
