31/03/2026
Victoria Police is today announcing its newest aerial capability - the Hot Air Balloon Unit (HABU).
The trial follows ongoing community interest in aerial police activity, particularly the long-standing question: “why is the chopper above my house?”
HABU offers a quieter alternative... although we expect it will attract a similar level of attention.
The trial will see officers deployed in hot air balloons across key traffic corridors, providing an elevated perspective of day-to-day activity across the city.
Operating during early mornings and major travel periods - when drivers are most likely to test their luck - members will be positioned above key locations including the CBD, parklands and along the Yarra, delivering what can only be described as 'views for days'.
Each balloon will be equipped with:
➡️ extended hover capability over confusing intersections
➡️ panoramic visibility of entire traffic queues (and a clear line of sight for spotting phone use)
➡️ a burner system that definitely won’t startle anyone at the lights, in most cases.
Specialised training includes:
➡️ extended periods of silent observation
➡️ coordinated slow drifting over high-risk areas
➡️ maintaining eye contact with drivers for an uncomfortably long time.
The trial will run over the coming weeks, weather permitting - and in Melbourne, that's a big "if".
Quotes attributable to Acting Superintendent Chris Wetherby:
“From a few hundred metres up, you get a clear view of everything - phone use, tailgating, late merging… it’s all there. There’s nowhere to hide when we’re slowly drifting above you.”
“It’s hard to ignore a police officer silently floating above you. We’ve found drivers tend to immediately reconsider their decisions.”
“We did have one briefly hover over a drive-thru. That's been addressed internally."
