Police to flood region, target holiday drunks

SPECIALIST police will bolster local resources as officers prepare for a rise in drunken behaviour and call-outs this Labour Day long weekend.

Geelong Acting Superintendent Damien Christensen said police would roll out Operation Beachsafe as thousands of holiday-makers travelled to Geelong, the Surf Coast and Queenscliff.

Police will be highly visible on land, air and sea as they proactively patrol beaches and popular locations to stamp out anti-social behaviour.

Superintendent Christensen said the bolstered police presence was in response to higher than usual numbers of visitors and police call-outs over the Australia Day period.

“We will have a significant presence across Geelong, Bellarine and the Surf Coast over the weekend,” he said.

‘We know that there’s been an increase in accommodation booking and we know there is likely to be an increase in attendance at licensed venues, particularly coastal towns.”

Local police will be backed up by specialist units, including the Public Order Response team.

Superintendent Christensen said police would also patrol areas such as like beaches and parks due to a likely increase in public drinking and drunkenness.

Teens are also on notice as police promise a strong presence in dune areas where underage youths have regularly held illegal, alcohol-fuelled parties.

“This is one of the last, traditional long weekends where there is increased demand in those coastal areas and we really want to get ahead of the game,” Superintendent Christensen said.

Police will also patrol Geelong’s CBD to prevent assaults in the nightclub precinct.

“The issue at licensed venues is there are potentially people who have pre-loaded (with alcohol) and are waiting in lines for extended periods,” Superintendent Christensen said.

Police have worked to ensure licensed venues play a role in reducing the risk of alcohol-related incidents.

The operation will run alongside road safety campaign Operation Arid, which ends at 11.59pm on Monday.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s Michael Noelker said campsites across the region would be at capacity.

“Whether you are at a campground, on a beach or at the shops, please stay COVID-safe and remember all the habits Victorians have practised in the past year while you’re away,” he said.

Geelong council officers will be out in force ensuring illegal campers stay away from Eastern Beach.

Council planning, design and development director Gareth Smith said it was “pleasing” the city had not seen illegal overnight camping at Eastern Beach since the Australia Day long weekend.

“We remind everyone that camping, consuming liquor after sunset and lighting fires are all prohibited activities,” he said.