General News
26 August, 2024
Police join forces for Operation Encompass
Police have hailed as a success a concerted four-day operation across Horsham and the Grampians over the weekend.
Wimmera police joined forces with the Public Order Response Team (PORT) from Melbourne for Operation Encompass, arresting seven people and issuing 22 penalty notices in Horsham, Stawell and Ararat.
PORT leader Senior Sergeant Pat Ryle said a pre-event template, prepared by the Wimmera team led by Acting Inspector Brendan Broadbent, would serve for further events across the state.
"Inspector Broadbent and his team certainly did their intelligence," Sen Sgt Ryle said. "And the information provided to us paved the way for immediate action."
PORT and local police also had support from road policing units, the dog squad and a state liquor unit.
Arrests included:
• A Gerang Gerung man, 49, for firearm offences.
• A Horsham woman, 27, for handling stolen goods.
• A Stawell man, 76, for possession of drugs - including heroin, methylamphetamine and cannabis - weapons and cash.
• A Stawell woman, 30, wanted over an outstanding warrant.
• An Ararat man, 52, wanted over an outstanding warrant.
• An Ararat man, 51, is expected to be charged on numerous deception and fraud related offences.
Police said most penalty notices related to traffic offences, including speeding, drink and drug driving and seatbelt offences.
Three defect notices were issued to drivers after vehicle safety risks were identified, more than 1300 breath tests were conducted, five firearm prohibition order searches were executed, two infringement notices and two official warnings were issued by the State Liquor Unit to licensed venues, and a team assisted local detectives in executing four search warrants.