A NEW high-visibility police unit patrolling the Mornington Peninsula has made 30 arrests and dedicated more than 250 hours to community patrols in its first month of operation.
The High Visibility Community Engagement Team (HiCET) was established on 1 June, with a focus on crime, road policing, public order and antisocial behaviour.
The team uses local intelligence to identify emerging issues before deploying resources to key community locations to prevent, deter and disrupt crime.
Patrols have covered Rosebud Plaza, Westpark Hastings, the Hastings CBD, Mornington Central Shopping Centre and Mornington CBD.
The arrests came from operations targeting illegal motorbikes, overpowered e-bikes, shoplifting and weapon offences.
Several longarm firearms were seized from a Mount Martha property on 29 June following a dispute between a man and a woman who are not known to each other. Police will allege in court that a 30-year-old man fired a shot into the air during the argument. No one was injured, and he was released pending further enquiries.
Three people were arrested during a retail theft operation in Mornington on 5 July, with a 41-year-old man remanded over 11 alleged offences.
On 4 July, a man was spotted riding a motorbike with no registration plates. Checks revealed the motorbike had been stolen from Carrum Downs in 2022.
Members on the ground were guided by drone operators to arrest a 55-year-old man, who also had an outstanding warrant for an alleged assault during a road rage incident on 19 May.
He was charged with riding a stolen motorcycle, disqualified riding and criminal damage, and was bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 2 September. The motorcycle was seized, with checks under way to return it to its rightful owner.
During the same arrest, a 24-year-old man wanted on eight outstanding warrants for alleged family-violence related offences was also taken into custody. He was remanded and appeared at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 14 July, where he pleaded guilty to all charges and was convicted and sentenced to a 12-month Community Corrections Order.
The HiCET team will continue conducting highly visible patrols around the clock.
Mornington Peninsula Local Area Commander Ivan Petrunic said:
“The new HiCET team has already made multiple arrests for a broad range of offences across the Mornington Peninsula.
“As this dedicated approach to community safety continues, locals and visitors to the Mornington Peninsula can expect to see uniform members out and about as we look to deter crime from occurring in the first place.
“While we can’t be everywhere all at once, we are really well placed to respond to incidents that do occur and swiftly arrest offenders.
“The safety of the community is always our number one priority – whether that’s out on the road, on the footpath, in the shopping centre or in homes.
“We are doing everything we can to ensure residents and visitors are not only safe but feel safe too.”
First published in the Mornington News – 28 July 2026
