Police target hit list of Victoria’s worst youth gangs

The rapidly evolving way in which teen gangs network is proving to be a challenge for Victoria Police, but our force has a new weapon in the fight against these violent thugs.

Victoria Police has compiled a hit list of the state’s 40 worst youth gangs in a bid to crack down on violent crime.

The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal the force is working with local police across the state’s 21 districts to collate an intelligence dossier in a bid to curb serious gang-related crime.

The co-ordinated database will provide officers with real-time information on both emerging and well established youth gangs.

Police are prioritising their attention on around 40 core youth gangs across the state – which range anywhere between six to 50 members each.

Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent said the gang-busting Operation Alliance was set up to “disrupt and dismantle” groups causing harm in the community and would be embedded in policing for years to come.

“With this list, we will be much more better connected with investigations,” Mr Nugent said.

“Any carjacking, any home invasion, any robbery causes so much harm to the victims.

“I am passionate about getting this right, to reduce the harm and reduce the amount of victims.

“When serious crime does occur, we will be on to it really early to arrest and prosecute those who did it – but also disrupt and dismantle the groups.”

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent. Picture: Getty Images

Youth crime has emerged as a high priority for Victoria Police in recent years, with the rapidly evolving way in which youths network providing a tough new challenge for the force.

Improved road and public transport connections have better linked the state, but have also left the force vulnerable as groups move away from traditional suburb-based gatherings.

Mr Nugent said police would draw upon crime reports, officer observation reports and offender debriefing accounts to help build the portfolio, which will help inform police and also shape their enforcement strategy.

“Gangs are no new phenomenon, we are looking at how they constantly evolve and adapt,” Mr Nugent told the Sunday Herald Sun.

“They are now more mobile across locations – they used to be more localised in their haunts and their hangouts.

“Now they can move around very quickly, they are fluid in nature.”

The top cop said diverting youths who were starting to engage with gangs was a key focus.

“You see a kid who has never been in trouble with the police – we want to divert them away from the nucleus of hardcore young criminals,” Mr Nugent said.

“It is important that we intervene early and stop that person moving into a life of crime.

“For the ones that do go wayward, the ones that go off the rails a bit, there needs to be a strong focus on reintegrating them into society, reconnect them with family, school and sport.

“But, for those who are armed and committing carjacking and robberies – jail is the spot.”

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