Police arrested 18 people during an operation targeting weapons and anti-social behaviour at Hoppers Crossing on July 3.
An Omni operation provides police with additional powers to detect weapon offences within a designated search area under the Control of Weapons Act.
These operations are run across the state to detect weapons, protect community safety.
Approximately 50 police and PSOs – from the transit division, public order response team and local area – saturated the Pacific Werribee Shopping Centre and bus hub area to deter crime and boost safety.
Police wand searched about 450 people during the eight-hour operation.
During a search, officers located a fold out knife in a 17-year-old boy’s shoe. He was issued with a penalty notice for possessing a controlled weapon.
A further 17 people were arrested.
Authorised officers also detected more than 50 transport offences.
Police will have a continued focus on shopping centres and public transport hubs in the western suburbs, with a number of proactive operations planned in coming months.
Acting Senior Sergeant Lauren Williams said the operation served as a strong deterrent to those carrying weapons as we know word of our presence spread quickly among the community.
“We hope it served as a reminder to those who carry knives that police are out at all hours detecting weapons, and we will have zero hesitation in seizing yours.
“There is never any excuse to carry an illegal weapon in our community so we will continue to run targeted operations across Melbourne to ensure our message remains loud and clear.”
