Stockland Wendouree Shopping Centre - known around town as Stocklands - will be populated with police officers conducting warrantless weapons searches on Thursday, September 24, from 11am-9pm.
A spokesperson for Victoria Police told the Brolga the mall’s declaration as a designated search area means police will “have the power to search people without a warrant - by using an electronic wand, asking them to remove items from any bags or pockets and outer clothing, or be given a 'pat down' search.”
What happened: On Monday, Victoria Police released a Public Notice stating the area within and surrounding Stockland Wendouree Shopping Centre had been declared a designated search area.
What’s that? This declaration allows the Chief Commissioner of Police, or in this case the Acting Assistant Commissioner for the western Region, to designate a zone for targeted weapons searches. It awards officers the right to search:
Via electronic device;
Contents of bags and pockets;
An outer search;
And a strip search.
Why is it happening? To declare a designated area, police say “there must be a history of weapon-related offending in the area, or police intelligence that indicates this measure will prevent likely offending”.
What next? The spokesperson said “Omni operations” are run throughout Victoria, and are used to protect the community, gather intelligence and deter offenders from carrying a weapon.
“Victoria Police’s role is to keep the community safe, and we will not tolerate weapons on the streets,” the spokesperson told the Brolga.
The search area will be live tomorrow, Thursday September 24, from 11am to 9pm.
Header Image: Stockland Wendouree and Victoria Police