Victoria Police’s Operation Cosmas is continuing its state-wide crackdown on violent crime to keep Victorians safe, with officers making 130 arrests since the operation commenced.
Visiting the Victoria Police Centre today, Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Police Lisa Neville were given a briefing on the operation and its progress.
Operation Cosmas was set up in May to prevent, deter and investigate violent crime after a series of aggravated burglaries and carjackings across Victoria.
Over the last three months, police have saturated parts of Melbourne with additional resources. As a result of the operation, many of the ringleaders of violent crime are on remand and facing serious charges.
Police continue to deploy units from the Operational Response Unit into high-volume crime areas. They are also utilising the dog squad and Air-Wing unit for surveillance – while day and night patrols are being conducted at high-risk locations to prevent violent crime.
The Andrews Labor Government is giving police the resources and powers they need to keep Victorians safe. The $596 million Public Safety Package announced in the Victorian Budget 2016/17 will fund an extra 406 sworn police officers, mobile technology and other specialist equipment.
Of the new officers funded, 300 frontline police will be deployed across Victoria, including in Melbourne’s growth corridors, to respond to local crime issues and the increased demand for police. An additional 30 members will be recruited to the Anti-Gangs Division as part of the package.
The Labor Government is expanding the powers of Victoria Police – with standalone offences for carjackings and home invasions being developed.
The Government will also work with Victoria Police on how to address youth offending in our community on the back of last month’s Youth Summit.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
"Operation Cosmas demonstrates the critical work being done by our crimefighters to keep people safe and to address the concerns many Victorians have about crime in our communities."
"Since May, this operation has been instrumental in arresting the ringleaders of violent crime in our community – and it’s having a major impact on community safety."
Quote attributable to Minister for Police Lisa Neville
"We will continue to support police in every way possible – through the additional frontline numbers needed in our growth areas, to the mobile technology needed to maximise efficiency on the beat."
"Police received $596 million in this year’s budget, part of our promise to give Victoria Police the resources and the powers they need to keep Victorians safe."
Reviewed 19 August 2020