Senior Constable Emma Sharp and Constable Mandy Baker patrolled the grounds of the Werribee Plaza last week. 82584 Picture: XAVIER SMERDON
By XAVIER SMERDON
WYNDHAM has again been swarmed by police as three people were arrested and more than 100 were fined during two days of targeted operations in the municipality last week.
Operation Lockdown was held for the second time this year with more than 30 extra police from the mounted branch, dog squad, Operations Response Unit and ACER Task Force saturating Point Cook, Tarneit, Hoppers Crossing, Wyndham Vale and Werribee last Tuesday and Wednesday.
Police set up roadblocks at various locations throughout the municipality and used Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to detect traffic and other offences.
As part of the operation, police arrested three people including two with outstanding warrants and one for theft.
Police also issued 101 infringement notices, including seven for driving unlicensed, 18 for driving unregistered vehicles and 35 for driving unroadworthy vehicles.
Nine people were caught driving while suspended and 16 were caught talking on mobile phones while driving.
Using the ANPR technology officers from the Sherrif’s Office also executed 728 warrants, recovering more than $220,000 in unpaid fines.
Wyndham North Acting Senior Sergeant Jon Parish said operations such as Lockdown demonstrated local police commitment to ensuring that Wyndham’s streets and roads were safer for all the community.
Acting Sen Sgt Parish said whilst members were working hard to address the issue, crime reduction needed a collaborative effort from all members of the community.
“We ask the community to assist us by reporting anything out of place or suspicious,” he said.
Residents were shocked to see officers on horseback patrolling Werribee Plaza on Wednesday, where they monitored the area for around six hours.
