Targeting illegal hunting
Victoria Police, in connection with Parks Victoria and the Game Management Authority, seized 16 firearms in a joint agency operation targeting illegal hunting in the state’s alpine region last month.
With patrols starting from Heyfield, Myrtleford and Mansfield before deploying into the National Park, this latest compliance operation is a timely reminder for visitors to understand and abide by park regulations.
Firearm and hunting exclusions began in the alpine region from December 16.
Such activity outside of the authorised times and locations poses a significant risk to public safety, especially with increased recreational visitors to the region.
Dogs are also banned from the National Park areas and such compliance formed an additional area of focus throughout the three day operation between December 16 and 18.
In addition to the seized firearms, four infringement notices were issued for offences including illegal hunting and bringing a dog into a park.
Further investigations and prosecutions are to be pursued by Parks Victoria against an additional eight alleged offenders for offences including possessing a firearm and hunting in a National Park not open to hunting, and illegal spotlighting.
With campers and hikers expected to continue flocking to the high country for the summer holidays, Victoria Police says it remains committed to ensuring the safety of those visiting the parks.
Second person located deceased in Buchan
Police will prepare a report for the Coroner following the discovery of a man’s body in Buchan last Wednesday (December 27).
Officers received information that it was believed a man was camping with a woman who was located deceased following flash flooding on December 26.
A search began of the flood-affected area and the man was located deceased.
Emergency services were called to Cave Road just after 5pm on Tuesday, December 26, after reports of flooding in the area.
Police were told a number of vehicles in the campground area were underwater and several people were safely retrieved from a nearby bridge.
Anyone who has information regarding anyone thought to be missing in the area is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Have you seen hoon driving?
Yarram Police are concerned about a display of hoon driving that occurred around Commercial Road and Bland Street in Yarram between 1am-1.30am on Saturday, December 16, describing the behaviour as “dangerous and an unacceptable risk to the community”.
If anyone was a witness to this driving or has any information, phone Yarram Police Station on 5182 5033 or Crime Stoppers.
Op Roadwise wraps up
Operation Roadwise – which commenced on Friday, December 15, 2023 and concluded at 11.59pm on Monday, January 1 2024 – was a statewide road policing operation to provide visible enforcement on major arterial roads and highways. Roadwise began as the number of lives lost in 2023 on Victorian roads surged to 279, surpassing the 241 total for all of 2022.
It’s the highest number of lives for the period in 15 years.
The operation ran for an extra six days to cover the busy New Year period. Alcohol and drug testing were a focus, with police intelligence showing there was an increase in the number of drivers recording low-range drink driving readings (0.05 – 0.069 BAC) in December.
Detections were around four per cent higher than the typical monthly average.
Police say the increase in low-range drink driving detections is likely due to drivers miscalculating their alcohol intake, suggesting many are prepared to risk having a few drinks at end-of-year social functions before getting behind the wheel.
Last year, police detected 511 drink driving offences from 201,091 preliminary breath tests and a further 375 drug driving offences from 5122 roadside drug tests.
Man killed by falling tree branch
A MAN was killed by a falling tree branch in Caringal on Boxing Day morning after wild weather stormed through the region.
The man was struck by the branch at a home on Rusks Road, Caringal, just north of Traralgon at 9am on Tuesday, December 26.
Emergency responders were called to the scene where they attempted to revive the injured man but he could not be saved.
The fatality in Caringal came as the whole of Victoria was under severe thunderstorm warnings with hail, thunder, damaging winds and floods hitting the state.
Detective charged with misconduct in public office
A detective senior constable from Crime Command has been charged following an internal investigation.
The 36-year-old male officer has been charged with one count of misconduct in public office.
The charge relates to an alleged incident that occurred between 2021 and 2023 while the member was on duty.
He will appear before a court at a later date. No further details were provided, including where he was based.
Police say a 32-year-old man was driving in Heyfield after being disqualified from driving.
Learner driver’s vehicle impounded in Heyfield. Photos: Victoria Police.
