Police increase patrols across Melbourne under youth crime crackdown

Victoria Police has increased patrols across Melbourne's south-east, targeting hotspots in a bid to tackle youth crime.

Members from specialist units have been deployed to Fountain Gate, Cranbourne Shopping Centre and Dandenong Plaza after a spate of robberies and aggravated burglaries.

Public Order Response Team Inspector Dean Howard told 9News that Operation Agile was about keeping the public safe.

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"We are having a focus on these areas to try and let people know we're about and make people feel safe," he said.

Over the past week, seven arrests were made, including four men who were allegedly caught with 245 grams of cannabis in their vehicle.

The 20-year-old driver from Pakenham was charged with several offences including, possessing cannabis, committing an indictable offence whilst on bail, refusing to accompany police for purpose of oral fluid test, and driving while disqualified.

His passengers, a 25-year-old Hampton Park man, a 23-year-old Frankston man and a 24-year-old Narre Warren South man, were charged on summons with possessing cannabis.

They will appear in court at a later date.

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A 30-year-old Pakenham man was caught by sniffer dogs inside Fountain Gate Shopping Centre and was charged with possessing a drug of dependence.

"There has been a number of recent robberies on public transport hubs including the hub at Fountain Gate Shopping Centre," Howard said.

"The high visual presence hopefully deters people from engaging in that sort of behaviour."

Aside from Operation Agile, police are also conducting searches for weapons at major train stations across the state.

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Last Thursday specialist units infiltrated Werribee station, arresting six people.

Eight weapons were seized, four penalty notices were issued and more than 1000 people were spoken to.

Howard said police would continue to crackdown on crime across the city.

"People trying to create trouble, we will be here," he said.

"We will be here to stop you. This isn't the first time we will be out and we will be running more operations."

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