The Andrews Labor Government has stepped up its fight against organised crime, with three new teams joining Victoria Police’s Anti-Gangs Division.
Minister for Police Lisa Neville today announced that 20 new officers will be added to the Gang Crime Squad, who will investigate networked offending and organised crime, including outlaw motorcycle gangs and Middle Eastern crime gangs.
The officers will work in three teams and expand on the work being done across our regions to address gang crime. This work has already led to more than 600 arrests for crimes including car jackings and home invasions, since Operation Cosmas began.
Funding for the new officers was provided in the 2016/17 Victorian Budget, which also funded two new illicit firearms teams within Victoria Police’s Armed Crime Squad.
The Labor Government is giving Victoria Police the powers and resources it needs to crack down on organised crime and protect the community from gang violence.
The ground-breaking $2 billion Community Safety Statement includes more police, and better strategies to tackle youth crime, drug crime and outlaw motorcycle gangs.
The Labor Government has introduced tough new drug laws that carry jail terms of up to 25 years for ice dealers, along with laws to tackle the illicit firearms market.
Legislation will be introduced into parliament this year to target drive-by shootings and people who shoot at buildings.
These laws will help police reduce gun crime, break up outlaw motorcycle gangs and target other crime groups.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Lisa Neville
“The new Gang Crime Squad will protect the community from gang violence and networked offending. Criminal gangs have no place on our streets.”
“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.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020