Mitchell Shire police are set to be out and about over the school holidays, as authorities look to crack down on anti-social behaviour with a youth-focused operation.
Operation Disrupt, which began on Saturday and will run until October 1, will involve more police presence publicly and proactively engaging with the public to help address issues, provide reassurance and deter poor behaviour.
Police have this year noted an increase in offences that relate to willful and criminal damage to parks, playgrounds and public spaces relating to youth in Mitchell Shire, with some stores and shopping centres also complaining about youth causing trouble by harassing staff, customers and causing damage.
Through liaising with store owners, monitoring social media pages and talking with members of the public, youth officer Acting Sergeant Ryan Coleman decided to implement an operation for the school holidays to reduce possible offending and provide reassurance to the public.
Acting Serg Coleman said Operation Disrupt’s goal was to engage with youth in a positive way, helping to establish relationships with the youth community through assistance, guidance and support.
“The behaviours we have seen previously are sometimes due to issues with the individual, such as family violence in the home, mental health struggles and drug and alcohol abuse,” he said.
“Further consequences for those committing offences will result in penalty notices being issued, arrests and matters being directed to court if necessary.”
The operation is compiled at a local level and approved by the Local Area Commander – the Inspector of the Mitchell Police Service Area.
Police from Wallan, Kilmore, Broadford and Seymour are all involved in the operation.
