By NICOLE VALICEK
An increased police presence will be felt and seen in Hobsons Bay with the arrival of the Victorian Police Mounted Branch.
Police officers and their horses will patrol the areas of Pier St and Harrington Square in the Altona area on a weekly basis for the next few weeks to maintain a high visible police presence in the area.
“The main aim is to show the police face around the area and regain the community’s confidence in the police and show that we are an extra resource that can come down and patrol the area,” Sen Constable Kristal Wheeler said.
“With the horses as well, it’s a bit more people friendly; we can walk around, we can go to areas where the other police can’t go in a car and we’ll talk to people in the area.”
Hobsons Bay Inspector Richard Paterson said the mounted branch will complement other patrols that have been taking place over recent months.
“In addition to the local police patrols, these areas have also been patrolled by the Highway Patrol Unit, Critical Incident Response Teams, Airwing, Water Police and Dog Squad police units over the summer months,” Insp Paterson said.
He said there had been several thefts where people had left valuables on the beach and then either gone for a swim or a walk.
“We want to reduce this and the additional police resources and patrolling will help.”
“I intend to continue to use these resources within Hobsons Bay to make the community safer.”
Insp Paterson said residents should be aware of a variety of policing units in the area to help prevent crime and increase the police service delivery to the Hobsons Bay community.
“I’ll be using a variety of different operational strategies to prevent crime and the patrols of the police Mounted Branch is one of these.”
The Police Mounted Branch encouraged people in the community to approach the horses, have a chat and give them a pat.
