Nearly 70 people were arrested as part of Operation Alliance earlier this month.
Police across different regions were out in force trying to disrupt gang activity, arrest violent offenders and engage with those on the fringes of youth gangs at the earliest opportunity.
Suburbs across Melbourne were all saturated with a highly visible police presence, including Melton, Point Cook, Truganina and Werribee between March 5-9.
Police arrested 67 people during the operation, for more than 100 offences including aggravated burglary, robbery, car theft, assault, and drug related offending.
This included 15 with links to street gangs, with the majority aged between 15 and 17-years-old.
A key component of the operation is police regularly knocking on the doors to ensure people are complying with their bail conditions.
In total, 126 bail compliance checks were performed over the five nights, with nearly 75 per cent of people found to be complying with their conditions.
Highway Patrol units checked more than 7700 cars through Automatic Numberplate Recognition Technology in an effort to detect stolen cars or numberplates, with six cars impounded and taken off the roads.
As part of the operation a firearm prohibition order search at a property in Cobblebank on March 8. As a result of the search police located an imitation firearm and a quantity of cannabis.
A 20-year-old man, who is subject to an active FPO was arrested. The man was released and is expected to be charged on summons in relation to prohibited person possessing an imitation firearm.
Five youth offenders with alleged links to street gangs were arrested by the Westgate Alliance Taskforce in relation to multiple car thefts across the Wyndham area in recent weeks.
This includes a 16-year-old Tarneit boy, 17-year-old Tarneit boy and three 15-year-old Truganina boys. Three were remanded in custody, one was bailed and one was released and is expected to be charged on summons. They are all expected to face a children’s court at a later date.
Brimbank and Melton Divisional Commander Superintendent Michael Cruse said Operation Alliance brings together multiple policing regions while utilising our specialist areas such as the VIPER Taskforce and Gang Crime Squad, all with the commons focus on dismantling youth gangs and disrupting their offending.”
“Dozens of offenders involved in serious and violent offending have been arrested as a result, and we’ve also engaged with a significant number of people, further boosting our intelligence holdings and giving us a chance to deter people from getting involved in gang activity before it’s too late.”
“These types of operations give us a greater line of sight than ever before on those who associate themselves as part of a youth gang, meaning we have the best chance to prevent crime from occurring.”
