General News
19 August, 2024
Operation Encompass: Police blitz in Wimmera, Grampians yields arrests
Three Arrested, multiple fines issued during police crackdown.
Wimmera
Police
A four-day blitz on the Wimmera and Grampians region resulted in the arrest of at least three people and fines for several others.
Operation Encompass, which targeted crime in major centres such as Horsham, Stawell, and Ararat, as well as in the neighbouring towns of Dimboola, Nhill, Murtoa, and Warracknabeal, saw local officers team up with the Melbourne-based Public Order Response Team to saturate the region from August 16-19.
PORT Senior Sergeant Pat Ryle said the increased presence in the Wimmera had an immediate impact, with a man arrested following an alleged rape at the Longerenong B&S Ball.
"It was pretty important for locals and the public to know if something does untoward happen... that we can respond and accordingly," Snr Sgt Ryle said.
"We can be fairly agile, where we can go and what we can do.
"[While] this was a planned operation, but we are certainly able to realign our resources to an area if need be at a fairly moments notice."
Horsham Police Senior Sergeant Cameron Ross said the increased police presence in the region allowed two preliminary breath test sites in Dadswells Bridge and Longerenong following the event.
"We unfortunately got two drink drivers," Snr Sgt Ross said.
"It's one of those messages to make sure that you're doing the right thing, because we are out and about, and it's about keeping community safe, and we don't want people to drink driving."
Operation Encompass saw more than 30 extra police officers work in the region, including a specialised canine unit trained to detect drugs, cash and firearms.
Across the weekend, police arrested two people with outstanding warrants.
"On Saturday morning, we had some planned warrants with the local Horsham CIU and some firearm prohibition orders that we did some checks on," Snr Sgt Ross said.
"We were able to locate and process a 48-year-old man at one of those warrants.
"On Sunday... we were able to arrest a 75-year-old male from Stawell who's been remanded in custody on drugs charges.
"We were able to seize quite a good quantity of drugs, methamphetamine, cannabis and heroin, with some some weapons and also an amount of cash."
Operation Encompass resulted in more than 700 preliminary breath tests across the weekend, heavy vehicle inspections, and several liquor licencing checks that saw one pub issued with a penalty notice.
"This was about showcasing what we've got and what's available in our division," Snr Sgt Ryle said.
"There are some times where we are resource poor and we don't get a lot of police units on the road. So this was a real good opportunity for us to get a lot of extra units on the road and be out on the road and seen."
Western Division Inspector Brendan Broadbent said the effects of Operation Encompass will continue beyond the four day blitz.
"We want to the message we want to get across is around ensuring that we have a safe community," Insp Broadbent said.
"Our role in the community is to ensure there is a safe, secure and orderly society. The idea of the operation [was to] show a high visible police presence. That's something that's really clear to us and clear around the vision of the operation."