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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/aug/28/border-force-police-join-stop-and-search-crackdown-in-melbourne-cbd
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| Border force join police in huge visa fraud crackdown in Melbourne CBD | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The centre of Melbourne will be swamped with police on Friday and Saturday night in a huge multi-agency operation to target everything from visa fraud to antisocial behaviour. | The centre of Melbourne will be swamped with police on Friday and Saturday night in a huge multi-agency operation to target everything from visa fraud to antisocial behaviour. |
| Australian Border Force, police, and transport officers will take up positions at various locations around the CBD and will be “speaking with any individual we cross paths with”, said ABF regional commander, Don Smith. | |
| Related: Counter-terrorism laws 'not about targeting Muslims', says justice minister | Related: Counter-terrorism laws 'not about targeting Muslims', says justice minister |
| “You need to be aware of the conditions of your visa; if you commit visa fraud you should know it’s only a matter of time before you’re caught out,” he said in a statement. | “You need to be aware of the conditions of your visa; if you commit visa fraud you should know it’s only a matter of time before you’re caught out,” he said in a statement. |
| It was not clear if the operation – codenamed “operation Fortitude” – would involve on-the-spot visa checks or demands for proof of identity. More details were expected at a press conference on Friday afternoon. | It was not clear if the operation – codenamed “operation Fortitude” – would involve on-the-spot visa checks or demands for proof of identity. More details were expected at a press conference on Friday afternoon. |
| In July, the Australian customs and border protection merged with the department of immigration and border protection and launched the Australian Border Force, whose officers have substantially greater powers than either customs or immigration officials. They are permitted to carry guns and have powers to detain. | In July, the Australian customs and border protection merged with the department of immigration and border protection and launched the Australian Border Force, whose officers have substantially greater powers than either customs or immigration officials. They are permitted to carry guns and have powers to detain. |
| Under the Migration Act, an authorised officer can ask for information from someone the officer “knows or reasonably suspects is a non-citizen”.The information can include evidence of being a lawful non-citizen and personal identity papers. The person must comply with the request within a time period “specified by the officer”.If the officer “knows or reasonably suspects” the person is an unlawful non-citizen the officer must detain that person. | |
| Victoria’s police minister, Wade Noonan, has been asked for comment on whether the state government supported the operation or if any consultation took place. | Victoria’s police minister, Wade Noonan, has been asked for comment on whether the state government supported the operation or if any consultation took place. |
| Meanwhile Victoria police will be out with detection dogs, booze buses and automated number plate recognition vehicles as part of the Friday and Saturday night operation. | Meanwhile Victoria police will be out with detection dogs, booze buses and automated number plate recognition vehicles as part of the Friday and Saturday night operation. |
| Metro Trains, Yarra Trams, the sheriff’s office and the Taxi Services Commission will also be involved. | Metro Trains, Yarra Trams, the sheriff’s office and the Taxi Services Commission will also be involved. |
| “For those of you who choose to break the rules expect to be caught by the Operation Fortitude team,” transit and public safety command acting superintendent, Campbell Mill, said in a statement. | “For those of you who choose to break the rules expect to be caught by the Operation Fortitude team,” transit and public safety command acting superintendent, Campbell Mill, said in a statement. |
| “There is a lot of truth to the saying that there is strength in numbers,” he said. “From a policing perspective we will have protective services officers, passive alert detection dogs, police, booze buses and automated number plate recognition vehicles deployed this Friday and Saturday night.” | “There is a lot of truth to the saying that there is strength in numbers,” he said. “From a policing perspective we will have protective services officers, passive alert detection dogs, police, booze buses and automated number plate recognition vehicles deployed this Friday and Saturday night.” |
| It marks the first time border force staff have joined with transport and enforcement agencies to target crime in the CBD. | It marks the first time border force staff have joined with transport and enforcement agencies to target crime in the CBD. |
| Asylum seeker and refugee advocate Pamela Curr expressed outrage at the decision to include border force officers in the patrols. | |
| “I want weep for my country,” she said. | |
| Greens immigration spokeswoman Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said it was evidence of the “militarisation” of the immigration department. | |
| “This is a political stunt from a government that’s desperate to divide the community rather than unite it,” she said in a statement. |