Mail thief on the loose A MAN is believed to be stealing mail across Frankston and Seaford. Frankston Crime Investigation Unit are investigating the recent thefts, which occurred over the Christmas and New Year period. Police say that they are looking for a man who they describe as “large, heavy set male with short hair and a goatee beard can assist them with their enquiries”. “Frankston CIU understands that a number of people on local Facebook groups have made comments as to being victims of these thefts,” a statement on the police eyewatch social media page read. “Anyone who has had their mail stolen during this period, and who may also have any CCTV or images of the incident, is urged to report it to Frankston Police Station on (03) 9784 5555.”
Patrolling Port Phillip A POLICE operation will dedicate more resources to monitoring Port Phillip Bay over the long weekend. Operation “Unity” runs from 24 January to 26 January. Police officers and Water Police Squad members will be at local beaches to enforce water safety and try to reduce the number of marine incidents and collisions caused by unsafe behaviour. Rosebud Police Assistant Sergeant Flyn Loughlin said “we generally see a surge in the holiday population on the Mornington Peninsula over this long weekend and more people utilise the foreshore precincts and the nearby water. It’s a great atmosphere over the summer period, and I encourage everyone to have fun. But it’s been well publicised recently that there have been a spate of water related incidents ranging from drownings, injuries due to misadventure, and jetski collisions.” “We simply won’t tolerate people who fail to
observe marine safety laws, local by-laws, or those who commit criminal and anti-social behaviour – there will be no warnings. We just want people to think particularly when they’re on and next to the water. I can assure the greater community that police won’t hesitate in holding offenders to account if people don’t obey the rules.”
‘Poached’ abalone seized SEVEN men were arrested and 50kg of abalone seized in a joint operation by Mornington police and Fisheries officers last week. Two men were nabbed as they beached their boat south of the town, 2.50pm, Tuesday 19 January, allegedly with 20kg of abalone aboard. Five others were intercepted at 8pm on the Mornington-Tyabb Road allegedly with 30kg of abalone inside their car. The day was a no-take day for the valuable shellfish. Acting Sergeant Cam Fields said diving equipment and two cars used in the alleged poaching were also seized and that many of the abalone had been undersized. He said most were able to be returned to the water unharmed. The men, from Cranbourne, Hampton Park and Endeavour Hills, were charged with taking a commercial quantity of abalone and bailed to appear at Dromana Magistrate’s Court next month. Acting Sergeant Fields said strict bail conditions prohibited the men from being within five kilometres of Victorian marine waters. This means they cannot go near any marine waterway, such as beaches, rivers or lakes, or be found in possession of any dive equipment, such as goggles or flippers, at least until the court date in February. Other restrictions are aimed at reducing their risk of reoffending and ensuring their appearance at court. Further investigations may result in new charges being laid, Acting Sergeant Fields said. Anyone seeing or suspecting illegal fishing is being carried out is asked to call iFISH on 133 474.
Seized abalone: Police and fisheries officers who seized catches of abalone from boats and cars were able to return most of the shellfish to the water unharmed. Pictures: Supplied
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Frankston Times
26 January 2021
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