Hoons arrested by Victoria Police after Air Wing operation

THREE alleged hoons have been arrested after turning Melbourne suburban streets into their dangerous playground.

SKIDDING hoons have been busted after police secretly filmed late-night illegal gatherings in Melbourne’s northwest.

Two Caroline Springs men, aged 23 and 26, were nabbed this morning as part of an ongoing undercover operation.

A 23-year-old man was arrested at an address in Greensborough on Tuesday.

A car was seized at the address and the man was charged with reckless conduct endangering life.

This week’s arrests follow seven other arrests made in recent weeks since the previously covert anti-hoon Taskforce Afectar moved into the arrest phase of its investigations.

In total four offenders have been charged, with three currently on remand and the fourth released on bail.

Seven vehicles have been seized so far and police are applying to have them permanently removed from the alleged offenders.

Acting Inspector Paul Berry said police had no tolerance for people who engaged in deliberate, risky behaviour at hoon meets.

“This taskforce has made numerous arrests targeting those who we believe were involved in the organisation of hoon meetings across Melbourne’s north west,” Insp Barry said.

“These significant arrests in combination with our well-tested capacity to disrupt hoon events as they occur will have ongoing benefits to community safety.”

He said anyone taking part in hoon meets was risking lives.

“Police will continue to work with the community to identify, disrupt and apprehend anyone taking part in this kind of dangerous behaviour on our roads,” he said.

The covert Taskforce Afectar was set up earlier this year in response to the increasing number of hoon gatherings across the northwestern suburbs of Melbourne.

The taskforce, comprising a team of detectives, highway patrol members and intelligence officers, works to disrupt gatherings and build an intelligence picture of hoon activities.