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10 OCTOBER, 2023
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Senior Sergeant Scott Williams and Leading Senior Constable Jo Mutsaerts, with Lions members Marina Adam, Pauline Mills, president Pauline Tuner and secretary Ray Denison. (Damjan Janevski) 364085_01
The Lions Club of Melton has been assisting Melton police to help children in need by donating clothes and toys to the station. For many years Lions has donated toys which are given to children and young people who are victims of crime or involved in traumatic events and are in need of a special gift that provides comfort. On October 5, members began a new initiative that ensures all children who come into police care can be adequately dressed. Senior sergeant Scott Williams said the clothing packs and trauma toys provided by the Melton Lions Club shows care for the community and supports vulnerable young people. “I am really proud of this project because it directly benefits children and young people that are in need of assistance,” he said. Lions Club Melton president Pauline Turner said this year a key focus area for the club is supporting children and young people. “As a club we are passionate about supporting our community, particularly those who may be vulnerable or at risk,” she said.
Moorabool drug crackdown By Liam McNally Moorabool police have conducted a string of police operations targeted at disrupting the drug trade within the municipality in a bid to reduce broader crime numbers. The operations targeted people allegedly involved in the sale of drugs and resulted in the seizure of cocaine, cannabis plants, weapons and stolen goods from a number of properties. Police say disrupting these operations will have the knock-on effect of reducing “volume-crime” in the area, especially theft. On August 18 police executed search warrants at four properties across Bacchus
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Marsh and Darley and allegedly seized an ounce of cocaine, a small amount of bute, a number of LSD and ecstasy tablets as well as cash and weapons. On September 20 a 43-year-old male was charged after police executed a search warrant at a separate Darley property and allegedly discovered 20 hydroponic cannabis plants and a loaded firearm. He has been bailed to appear before a Bacchus Marsh court in November. Most recently more than $100,000 worth of allegedly stolen goods were recovered at a Balliang East property on Thursday, September 28, including an excavator, boat, bobcat, tip truck, three trailers and approximately 70
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power tools. Star Weekly has reported that criminal offences increased by more than 22 per cent in Moorabool in the 12 months to June 2023, with three of the five most common crimes being related to theft. Moorabool Crime Investigation Unit detective sergeant Ricky Millar said theft can be directly linked to the area’s drug trade problem. “Intel shows a high percentage of our crime is driven by persons involved in either drug use or the drug trade,” he said. “If we can identify where drugs are being distributed and close those sorts of places down, it’s certainly going
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to reduce risk of property and volume crime in those areas, and we’re looking to do that across Moorabool PSA [Police Service Area], but in particular Bacchus Marsh at the moment.” Det sgt Millar said police are keen to hear from the public any information they may have that may help with reducing local crime. “We’re actively seeking persons who are involved in drug crime and stolen property either retention or actually stealing property, which all ties up with our volume crime including burglaries and theft of motor vehicles,” he said. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
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