Eyewatch - East Gippsland Police Service Area

03/06/2026

Thieves aren’t looking for your keys - they’re looking for your OBD port to override your car.

Make it harder to steal by installing a port lock 🔒

02/06/2026

02/06/2026

**Update: This warning has been cancelled**

Severe Weather Warning for damaging winds.
Stay informed: http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/
Issued at: 5:08pm on Tuesday 2 June 2026

Where:
For people in parts of East Gippsland and North East Forecast Districts.
Locations which may be affected include Falls Creek and Mt Hotham.

When:
Damaging winds about the northeastern ranges over the next few hours.

Situation:
Locally damaging winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 90 km/h are likely about the northeastern ranges over elevated areas above 1200 metres.

Winds are forecast to ease during Tuesday evening.

Impacts:
94 km/h wind gust recorded at Mt Hotham at 4:00 am.

What you should do:
The Victoria State Emergency Service advises that people should:

* If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
* Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
* Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Stay indoors and away from windows.
* If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 11:00 pm Australian Eastern Standard Time Tuesday.

31/05/2026

The Community Sentiment Survey is NOW OPEN – and we want to hear from you.

Your feedback helps us understand what matters most to you and help us develop ways to tackle them.

If you live, work and socialise in Victoria, tell us:
🚨 how you feel about safety in your local area
✨ your ideas to improve the work we do
💬 how you want to engage with police and PSOs.

Make your voice count. Complete the survey before 30 June → https://bit.ly/4uw9KUG

28/05/2026

A 75-year-old man has been charged over the alleged theft of redgum fences across the East Gippsland area that has caused almost $90,000 in damage across several farming properties.

Police will allege the removal of fencing wire and theft of timber has been occurring over a two-year period.

Following extensive investigations, Bairnsdale Police executed a search warrant at a home in Paynesville yesterday.

When officers arrived they allegedly saw the 75-year-old pulling into his driveway with a trailer of fence posts believed to have been stolen.

Police seized two trailer loads of cut redgum farm fencing, as well as 25 full length redgum farm fence posts.

The man was arrested and has since been charged with four counts each of theft, criminal damage and trespassing.

He was bailed to appear at Bairnsdale Magistrates’ Court on 18 November.

Anyone with information about suspicious or criminal activity at farming properties is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au. These reports can be made anonymously.

27/05/2026

🧑‍✈️👨‍✈️👩‍✈️ Become a Police Custody Officer - Online Information Session 👩‍✈️👨‍✈️🧑‍✈️

Wednesday, July 8 • 6 PM - 7 PM AEST

An online information session for members of the community who are interested in a career as a Police Custody Officer.

Not challenged in your current job?

Think it's time for a change?

Do you want a career instead of "just a job"?

A career with Victoria Police may be made for you.

Victoria Police is hosting an online information session for members of the community who are interested in a career as a Police Custody Officer.

Hear from us about the recruitment process and training at the Police Academy. It's also your opportunity to ask questions you have about a PCO career pathway.

When: Wednesday 8th July 2026.

Where: This session will be conducted online. Attendees will receive a link on the day of the event.

Start: 6:00pm | Finish: 7:00pm

To find out more about the role of a Police Custody Officer please click here: https://www.police.vic.gov.au/pco
https://bit.ly/3RAagCy

26/05/2026

👮‍♂️👮‍♂️👮‍♂️ Bairnsdale Police 👮‍♂️👮‍♂️👮‍♂️

On Wednesday the 27th of May 2026, Bairnsdale Police will be setting up the Mobile Policing Facility on Main Street in Lindenow. Police will be there from 11am until 1.00pm to answer any questions or concerns from the community. Hope to see you there 😊.

26/05/2026

Illegal hunters and those trying to avoid detection in the High Country are in the crosshairs of local police.

Heyfield and Mansfield police, alongside the Game Management Authority, conducted an operation within the Wonnangatta Valley and neighbouring high country including Dargo and Licola over several days last week.

Patrols were conducted targeting illegal hunting including spotlighting, the use of thermal cameras, and hunting within deer habitat at certain hours of the evening – as well as impaired driving and other antisocial behaviour.

Approximately 50 vehicles were intercepted and their drivers and passengers checked for fi****ms, game licences, and any illegal equipment, as well as drugs and alcohol.

Areas covered include the Wonnangatta Valley, Hearnes Spur, Cynthia Spur, Eaglevale, Crooked River, Billy Goats Track, Black Spur Track and Tamboritha, Howitt, South and Spring roads.

Of note:

Two men, both aged 37 from Napoleons, were seen allegedly spotlighting in the Wonnangatta Valley while consuming alcohol. It will be further alleged they had loaded fi****ms with silencers and thermal equipment. Their fi****ms were seized.

A 40-year-old man from Riddells Creek was allegedly caught with a loaded firearm while spotlighting and in possession of thermal equipment in the Wonnangatta Valley. His guns and equipment were seized, and he is expected to be charged on summons.

A 39-year-old man from Ascot had his fi****ms seized after checks revealed he was unlicenced while shooting in the Hearnes Spur area. He is expected to be charged on summons.

A 37-year-old man from Jackass Flat is expected to be charged on summons for firearm and ammunition possession and storage offences after being caught at Hearnes Spur.

A 31-year-old man from Cockatoo was allegedly caught drink driving at Zeka Spur. His driver’s licence will be suspended.

A large group of foreign nations residing in Ascot and Jackass were seen camping near Hearnes Spur in possession of unregistered fi****ms, which were confiscated by police. They are expected to be charged on summons.

Two people were issued with Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for driving off-road and having dogs in a national park.

Hunting invasive species is permitted if you have valid firearm and game licences and are in designated areas.

Seasons where hunting is permitted differs between species and areas. More information can be found at www.police.vic.gov.au/sport-target-shooters-clubs-collectors-and-hunters and www.gma.vic.gov.au.

24/05/2026

*** SEARCH WARRANT = ARREST ***

On Friday 22nd May, 2026 , Investigators from East Gippsland FVIU executed a search warrant pursuant to Section 465 of the Crimes act.

During the search warrant, Investigators have seized several exhibits linking the offender to the offences of stalking and criminal damage.

The offender was arrested and has been remanded to appear the Bairnsdale Magistrates Court on the 3rd June 2026.

21/05/2026

👮‍♂️👮‍♂️👮‍♂️ The Victoria Police Neighbourhood Policing Forum welcomes local services and community members to talk with police about what issues are important in your community. The event will be held on Thursday the 28th of May 2026 at the Bairnsdale RSL from 1:00pm (Doors open 12:15pm).

If you'd like to attend the event, please register using the QR code below 👇