Stawell Police's Operation Connect has come to a close, but residents can still expect to see Police presence around town.
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Operation Connect was a dedicated foot patrol operation as a result of feedback received from members of the public during the Stawell Police's Community Safety Survey and street events.
Across August through to the end of October, the operation was conducted with police members at Stawell recording almost 400 interactions with members of the public.
Stawell Police Station Sergeant Eddie Malpas said the operation helped police members build trust and gather information with the community.
"Throughout the time spent 'on the beat', we received some great feedback from people in the community including business staff who were delighted to see the 'back to basics' approach introduced," Sergeant Malpas said.
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"The operation gave our members an opportunity to get out of the van and spend time talking to people who may not normally have the opportunity to discuss local issues or initiatives with police.
"We also found that in this setting some people felt more comfortable providing us with information that assisted with a variety of investigations."
Sergeant Malpas described the operation was a success and said residents can expect to see Stawell Police members in the community in the same way.
"The official operation has ceased, but due to the success and the positive feedback received, Operation Connect will now be a permanent part of our tasking.
"This means you can continue to see our troops out and about in the CBD on foot or catching a ride on the town bus.
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"As the operation progressed, we identified a need for members to be present on the public transport system.
"As such, our members spent time on the town bus route engaging with the drivers and those on board. This proved to be beneficial in providing an additional sense of safety and visibility.
"We are looking forward to continuing our efforts in building a strong relationship with our community.
"We are also looking forward to hearing more from those who shared some wonderful life stories or provided information on the amazing history of this great town."
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