Winter update from Senior Sergeant Bickley
Friday, 5th August 2022
Senior Sergeant Bickley is the Officer in Charge for the Bellarine Police Station and responsible for policing services on the Bellarine Peninsula. He said, “We are in the traditional ‘off-peak’ period of the year being winter and are not seeing the large numbers of visitors that we see in the warmer months. This does have an effect in lowering crime rates across the Bellarine in certain areas.
Senior Sergeant Bickley said “Bellarine & Portarlington Police continue to operate the road policing operation ‘Backroads’ which is assisting in a drop in road trauma figures for serious injuries in this calendar year on Bellarine roads.
He also advised that a significant arrest was made by Portarlington and Bellarine Police in regards to significant property damage caused by graffiti. A 14 year old male was arrested and charged with over eighty offences in relation to property damage in communities such as Curlewis, Drysdale, Portarlington and the Geelong area and this arrest should have a significant effect in lowering the number of property damage crimes being reported on the Bellarine.
Portarlington Police held ‘Coffee With A Cop’ in June which was well received by local residents. Further community events are being planned and there will be a ‘Safe Plate’ day held at the Leopold Bunnings carpark on the morning of the 13th of August from 9am with local police present.
Senior Sergeant Bickley said that issues that have been identified for the Bellarine Peninsula include theft from motor vehicles. Police are still seeing vehicles that are not being locked having items removed from them which is disappointing. Number plate theft is also occurring which may be due to the significant rise in petrol prices. Senior Sergeant Bickley said ‘Safe plate screws assist in ensuring number plates cannot be stolen so come down to Leopold Bunnings on the 13th August to get yours’.
Local police have a simple message…’be aware of your local area and who is in it. Lock your car and if you see somebody acting suspiciously call 000’.
Source: Senior Sergeant Adrian Bickley - Officer in Charge, Bellarine Police Station
