Police will dramatically increase their presence in Metropolitan Melbourne that the public will comply with the most recent directions of the Chief Health Officer, announced Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Wednesday morning (8 July).
The premier announced the measure as part of an expanded version of Operation Sentinel flanked by Lisa Neville, the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and the Chief Commissioner of Police Shane Patton. The police will increase the presence of its officers in 32 Local Government Areas to ensure Stage 3 “Stay at Home” restrictions that come into force in Melbourne and Mitchell Shire as of midnight on Thursday morning.
Operation Sentinel will incorporate Victoria-wide police resources that will include the Public Order Response Team, Mounted Branch, Highway Patrol as well as local police officers.
“These are unprecedented measures – but so is the challenge we face. This virus is deadly and we must contain it – lives are depending on it. The rules are clear, they’re there to save lives and police will be enforcing them across the state,” said Mr Andrews.
Mr Andrews said that the state government had also sought support from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) which will deploy about 264 members for support on on-ground operations, at staging areas and to assist in planning, logistics and transport. He added that ADF members would also play a key role in keeping an eye on the boundaries of metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire.
To monitor the flow of traffic, the premier said “booze buses” would also be deployed to road stops and checkpoints. Automatic Number Plate Recognition equipment would be used to scan registration details to identify the residential addresses of the vehicle licence owners.
Police will continue to be deployed to patrol public places throughout the state and to make house visits as part of the measures to restrict the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the state.
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“Just as we increase our police presence, we’re also asking Victorians to follow restrictions and do the right thing. From 11.59 pm on Wednesday, metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire will return to Stage 3 Stay at Home restrictions for six weeks,” said Mr Andrews.
“For Victorians living in these locations, there will only be four reasons to leave the house: shopping for food and supplies, care and caregiving, exercise, and work or study – if it can’t be done from home.”
Mr Andrews added that over the past 24 hours the police had already carried out 810 spot checks on businesses and non-essential services across the state. He said police were conducting statewide checks on businesses, homes, community locations and non-essential services to ensure with regulations. Operations Ribbon and Shielding would remain in place.
Ms Neville said: “None of us want to be in this position, but we all have to do the right thing. Our police will be out in full force across the entire state to make sure that’s happening.”
Victoria Policeofficers have issued 6,314 fines to date as part o f Operation Sentinel. Fines for those breaching regulations under Operation Sentinel have been set at $1,652 for individuals and $9,913 for businesses.
♦ The community can continue to report non-urgent crime and events, as well as breaches of the Chief Health Officer’s directives, by calling the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or submitting an online report at police.vic.gov.au/palolr.
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