Frankston police surveillance network key weapon in war against teen gang crime
Teen gangs using public transport to commit “ride in, ride out” robbery and bashing sprees with “pathetic bravado” in Frankston have been put on notice, with police revealing a sophisticated new weapon — and they want the menaces to know.
South East
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Teen gangs responsible for ‘ride in, ride out’ crime are being busted by a sophisticated network of hundreds of 24-hour-a-day surveillance cameras trained onto Frankston streets.
Crime Investigation Unit investigators and frontline tactical police have their eyes locked on vision from 300 CCTV cameras operated by the council and Bayside Shopping Centre.
The vision is displayed on dozens of monitors at the station, allowing police to watch in real time and catch criminals in the act.
A teen gang of more than a dozen Islander and African menaces who caught the train in from Cranbourne, Narre Warren and Dandenong, were busted up by police thanks to the eye-in-the-sky surveillance.
Investigators were able to track the gang’s movements as they entered Frankston and moved around on foot and by public transport.
The youths’ four-day crime spree included dozens of alleged assaults and street robberies in the Frankston CBD between September 21-25.
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Several victims were threatened with violence and assaulted and their phones, shoes and cash stolen.
The thugs also caught a bus to Mornington McDonald’s where they rolled a young man for his shoes.
The gang also “set upon” a second young male victim who had ridden to the McDonalds just after 6pm.
Police were able to help most of the victims immediately, except for a young man and woman who the gang “swamped” and “accosted” near the Hoyts cinema on Wells St.
Investigators want the yet-to-be identified victims to come forward.
Police are also hoping to establish the identity of the second McDonalds victim.
The vast CCTV network helped co-ordinate a ground operation between uniformed police, PSOs and detectives to snare the junior thugs.
Police scooped up the bulk of the teen terrors after waiting for them to board a bus.
Frankston CIU boss Steve McKenzie said young hoodlums who planned on coming to Frankston to commit crimes should know they would be caught.
“The offenders are all young and appear to get their pathetic bravado from being part of such a large group,” detective Sen-Sgt McKenzie said.
“They ride in on public transport, look for soft targets and then ride out back to Cranbourne, Narre Warren and Dandenong.
“The simple message to groups of youths intent on coming into Frankston to cause trouble and commit offences is to stay home.”
Five youths were arrested and charged with robbery.
All five were bailed to appear at court at a later date.
Another five suspects were arrested but released without charge.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Call 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au with information.