Police show of force to blitz inner-city strip

A specialist public order police unit will begin 24-hour patrols in one of the country’s busiest inner-city areas as part of a three-week offensive to crack down on burglaries and anti-social behaviour.

Operation Embrace will increase police enforcement on Prahran’s Chapel St, one of Melbourne’s busiest shopping and nightlife streets, Victoria police said on Tuesday.

The attack comes as the state grapples with rising crime rates, prompting Allan’s Labor government to tighten bail laws in 2025, focusing on serious young offenders.

Police said in a statement that Operation Embrace will include 24-hour patrols of the public order response team, police dogs, mounted police and uniformed officers.

Highway patrol cars and police officers on bicycles will also be deployed as part of the restrictions.

Police said supermarkets, liquor stores and clothing stores would also be targeted, as well as drug offenses and anti-social behavior near nightclubs.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Damian Jackson said retail theft, drug problems and bad behavior at nightclubs on Chapel St would be met with a “show of force” by authorities.

“Last year our officers arrested more than 450 people in connection with these matters alone,” Mr. Jackson said.

“Victoria Police are currently deploying large numbers of officers to areas where we want to send a very clear message to criminals.”

The action was a follow-up to Operation Harmony in early 2026. This operation involved the deployment of large police resources to the streets of Melbourne CBD to combat minor crime.