Inspector Ian Geddes, of Footscray police, said a contingent from the operational response unit worked with local members on Monday.

"It's a saturation operation; we increase the number of available police units on the day," he said. "We immediately go from what is effectively four uniform police patrolling Maribyrnong on any given shift to over 20."

The unit targeted burglaries and drug trafficking by patrolling on foot and car on residential streets, at Highpoint shopping centre and Footscray's central business district. "We have them all over the police service area, supporting our people," Inspector Geddes said.

The state government has spent $47million on the 120 officers trained to target hot spots for assaults, use of weapons and alcohol-related violence. Inspector Geddes said the unit would operate in Maribyrnong "a couple of times" each month.