Nine people were arrested in Operation Scour, in which police carried metal detectors and were assisted by a police sniffer dog.

Sergeant Darron Hedge said 18 police took part in the operation aimed at increasing public safety in the city centre.

The operation started at 1pm and continued until 8pm, by which time Sergeant Hedge said "things were pretty quiet in Frankston".

Six people were charged with drug-related charges, another with theft of a car and one person with theft of goods from a shop. A further charge was made over an outstanding warrant. Sergeant Hedge said a number of people were arrested and cautioned over cannabis use.

"We want to send the message that neither the community nor police will allow people to carry weapons or drugs in Frankston. This kind of antisocial behaviour impacts on law-abiding residents and visitors who come to Frankston to enjoy themselves."

The operation would be repeated in the near future, he said. Jo Winterbottom