Police found no weapons during a blitz in Geelong’s central business district last Saturday.
Uniform police, Geelong’s Divisional Response Unit, a mobile policing unit and the Public Order Response Team searched more than 40 people during a July 8 OMNI operation.
Police also spoke with more than 60 people, patrolled inside eight licensed venues and checked 13 vehicles during the safety effort.
Police detected no weapons during the operation, which is the first in a series, but police will continue the bolstered presence to deter anyone considering carrying a prohibited weapon.
Geelong local area commander Acting Inspector Nicholas Uebergang said the priority was keeping people safe and that the weekend’s operation was “one of many”.
“Operations like these send a clear message that carrying a knife won’t be tolerated,” he said.
“While knife crime typically occurs between people who know each other, we understand the concern felt in the community when this offending unfolds on the streets.
“The community should be reassured we are doing all we can to detect offenders and seize their weapons before further harm occurs.
“In an ideal world, we wouldn’t have to run operations like these but make no apologies for targeting those carrying weapons and looking for trouble.”
The operation occurred after police declared the designated area at the Geelong shopping precinct, bus interchanges and surrounding roads, allowing officers to search anyone for weapons.
Victoria Police can declare a designated area for weapon searches under the Control of Weapons Act 1990.
The visible police presence will continue with similar OMNI operations planned.
Police also intercepted a vehicle on Moorabool Street after a 49-year-old Ballarat driver allegedly disobeyed a traffic sign and was driving with a suspended license during the operation. The driver will appear in court at a later date.
