African gang issues highlighted by former top cop five years ago
A FORMER top cop highlighted African gang issues five years ago in a report, but it was dismissed. Meanwhile, a South Sudanese community mentor says more than 500 youths are now involved in out-of-control gangs.
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A FORMER top cop highlighted African gang issues five years ago in a report, but it was dismissed.
It can be revealed factional groups are forming throughout Victoria and unleashing terror across multiple suburbs across the city and in the west.
South Sudanese community mentor Nelly Yao on Tuesday told the Herald Sun more than 500 youths were now involved in the out-of-control gangs.
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But community spokesman Richard Deng said the African community should not be used as a political tool to win elections.
Matt Dillon, a former Victoria Police chief inspector with more than 30 years in the force, identified in his research paper in 2012 African gangs were running wild and needed to be stopped.
He recommended a multi-agency taskforce be established to look at street gangs, with a particular emphasis on African youth.
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“Sudanese and other African youth are joined by their compatriots from other areas such as
Noble Park, Flemington and Kensington, swelling their numbers especially on weekend nights,” the report, focusing on the Chapel St precinct, said.
“There is a high level of reported and unreported crime, mainly intimidation, assaults and theft of personal items and cash, associated with these gangs, which has been confirmed by my own observations and consultation with local police, shop traders, licensees and other local stakeholders. This occurs both day and night.
“If the current trend continues and no action is taken at state and local government levels, the street gangs will take over, and shoppers, tourists, diners and party goers will go elsewhere.”
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Despite the alarming findings, there was no interest in his report from the then Baillieu government, which said there were no issues.
Speaking to the Herald Sun on Tuesday, Mr Dillon, who is not critical of police, said the judiciary was letting down the public.
He said tougher penalties were needed and young thugs should be deported.
“The issue of these kids has been prevalent for many, many years,” he said.
“We have become the laughing stock of the world.”
Mr Deng said Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull needed to “man up and support the African community”.
Mr Deng said a “tiny little number” of youths were breaking the law.
“Targeting a small community just because of that 1 per cent who are committing crime is not the right thing to do,” he said.
“It upsets them and does more harm.”
But Mr Yao said it was time for widespread action.
“These gangs exist, it’s happening, it’s real and the community is scared,” he said.