Police concerns over Caroline Springs vigilante group formed to fight crime wave
VICTORIA Police have raised concerns about a vigilante group patrolling the streets of Caroline Springs at night to combat a crime wave in their suburb.
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Teens stealing cars, breaking into homes across western suburbs
Caroline Springs residents launch local crime patrols
Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton tells residents leave it to police
Premier Daniel Andrews says locals put themselves in danger
VICTORIA Police have raised concerns about a vigilante group patrolling the streets of Caroline Springs at night.
Up to 50 men and women are sweeping the suburb in their cars after dark following a spate of aggravated burglaries.
Other residents are sleeping with baseball bats and knives beside their beds to defend themselves.
Police have ramped up patrols in response to reports of teenagers, some as young as 13, stealing cars, breaking into homes and terrorising people across the western suburbs.
The vigilante group is believed to have helped police identify six people arrested over the weekend.
At a community meeting held in Hillside last night, police raised concerns about the nightly street patrols.
Residents are now considering hiring private security guards to patrol the streets in a public lack of faith in the police.
Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton told 3AW police wanted the nightly patrols to stop.
“We do want them to stop because it becomes vigilantism really when you start that sort of thing and it actually puts them at risk,” he said.
“We’re concerned for their safety when they go out with that sort of intent.
“We’d rather they worked with us in reporting things that they see rather than actively trying to intervene in things they are seeing.”
Robert, who was at the meeting last night, said residents would continue with the patrols.
“It is a dangerous job, I understand why they want us to stop but if you were in the room last night and you heard the raw emotion and the feelings that people are so scared, they want this,” he said.
“Let’s just say that people will be out — to what capacity I can’t say.
“The police can’t stop because we’re really not doing anything illegal.
“We’re just a mobile neighbourhood watch.”
Fiona Crew, from Burnside Heights, said residents had had enough.
“The police said they would pull over and search cars they saw and anyone caught carrying weapons would be charged,” Mrs Crew said.
“But they’re not carrying weapons, they’re just normal fathers with children looking out for their community.
“People are finally able to sleep at night knowing that someone is out there keeping an eye on things.”
Premier Daniel Andrews urged Victorians not to take the law into their own hands.
“People need to be very careful that they are obeying the law themselves. It potentially is very dangerous for people to get themselves into these spots,” Mr Andrews said.