Operation Eureka uses Ballarat as test site

By Jordan Oliver
Updated November 2 2012 - 5:05pm, first published August 1 2011 - 11:44am
TEST: State-level police resources were used in Ballarat throughout July’s Operation Eureka
TEST: State-level police resources were used in Ballarat throughout July’s Operation Eureka

BALLARAT was used as a test-bed for future month-long police operations in regional areas, according to Ballarat police Inspector Bruce Thomas.State-level police resources were used in Ballarat throughout July’s Operation Eureka — the first time they have been committed for such an extended period.The Operational Response Unit, State Highway Patrol and the roving automatic number plate recognition system were all used in the city last month.Inspector Thomas said local police resources were boosted “considerably” by visiting units.“A lot of planning went into this so that we could run the full gamut of policing operations,” he said.“It wasn’t just a street policing effort — there was traffic, licensing, public safety, public transport ... we tried to cover as many facets of policing as we could.”Inspector Thomas said Operation Eureka had been incredibly successful, but future operations of a similar nature would depend on a review of Eureka, about to be commenced by the commanders of participating police units.“Our challenge is now to keep the visible police presence on the street,” he said.“The elements that will carry over will be foot patrols in Bridge Mall, Little Bridge Street and Stocklands.”Police riding Ballarat’s public transport will also be carried over into regular police operations.“It was refreshing to hear the other day that there was a foot patrol (scheduled) for Stocklands, so the troops went to get a car and the sergeant said ‘no, catch the bus out there’,” Inspector Thomas said.“The feedback has been excellent — I don’t think we’ve received any negative feedback.”Given the success of Operation Eureka, Ballarat police will now ask for further state-level resources in the future, but say more month-long operations will depend on the review of Eureka.“We’ll be asking for resources in probably October-November again, but it won’t be for such a long period,” Inspector Thomas said.“It was a trial, and of course we’ll be reviewing the operation in conjunction with the commanders of the ORU and other areas.”Iin the final weekend of Operation Eureka, police caught 12 drink-drivers, 16 people were charged with public drunkenness, and numerous unlicensed drivers and other traffic offenders were caught.

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