By Victoria Stone-Meadows
The Andrews Government has announced new members of the state’s anti-gangs division to support police in high gang crime areas.
Melbourne’s south east, including Cranbourne, Pakenham and Dandenong, has seen a spate of crimes in the last few months relating to both youth gangs as well as outlaw motorcycle gangs.
The new crime squad will investigate networked offending and organised crime, and assist local police officers in investigating crimes linked to gangs.
The funding for the new crime squad officers was provided for in the 2016-’17 Victorian Budget, and will share funding with two new illicit firearms teams within Victoria Police’s Armed Crime Squad.
The new crime squad officers form just part of the state government’s $2 billion package to fight crime and reform the justice system in the state.
Minister for Police Lisa Neville said there would be no stone left unturned by the new squad in getting organised crime off Melbourne’s streets.
“The new gang crime squad will protect the community from gang violence and networked offending. Criminal gangs have no place on our streets,” she said.
“Both emerging gangs and active criminal networks – including motorcycle gangs – will be investigated, disrupted and held to account for their crimes.”
“These teams will target the sinister gang networks in Victoria, and undermine the business model that fuels their criminal operations.”
The new police officers will have their powers strengthened as well with legislation to be introduced to parliament later this year that specifically targets gang activity.
While details of exactly how the new laws will work, the State Government believes they will help police reduce gun crime, break up outlaw motorcycle gangs and target other crime groups.
