WIMMERA police want people to be on their best behaviour during the various football and netball final series across the region.
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Western Region Division 4, which covers the Wimmera region, started Operation Final Siren last month.
Horsham Senior Sergeant Dave Ellis said the operation was designed to discourage anti-social behaviour and drink driving during finals campaigns across the Horsham and District, Wimmera and Mininera football and netball leagues.
“Essentially police will be attending before, during and after games,” he said.
“Our highway patrol units will also be active in the vicinity.
“People should expect to see breath test sites in the vicinity of football ovals during the finals period.
“Police will also be conducting high visibility patrols at and around football ovals, as well as at licensed venues following the games in the evening.”
The operation was enforced as part of state-wide Operation West Connect, which officially started on Tuesday.
The operation calls upon each police division to target crime specific to their area.
Sen Sgt Ellis said police chose to target the various finals series to discourage anti-social behaviour before it happened.
“The grand finals series is a significant event for our division and attracts a significant amount of resources,” he said.
“In the past the post-match activities have in particular caught police attention.”
Sen Sgt Ellis said police have already been out in force during the finals series and would continue to be so as the weeks went on.
“So far it’s been pretty good, no significant incidents have been reported,” he said.
“As it gets towards the end of the series the intensity of policing resources will increase accordingly.”
Sen Sgt Ellis reminded people they were not allowed to take alcohol to games during the finals series.
“Certainly police and bar staff will be vigilant,” he said.
He urged everyone to be mindful of their behaviour in the coming weeks.
“We encourage everybody to enjoy their time at the footy and netball but to also be considerate of everyone at the game,” he said.
The Horsham District Football Netball League grand finals will be on September 12.
Wimmera Football League and Mininera and District Football League grand final clashes are on a week later on September 19.