‘Thugs’ run riot

Police defend crime fight

YOUNG thugs running riot on Melbourne’s streets will be stamped out, Victoria Police have vowed as the force defends its approach to dealing with reports of escalating violence.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Monday said he was “very concerned at the growing gang violence and lawlessness in Victoria, in particular in Melbourne”, and accused Premier Daniel Andrews of failing to deal with the problem.

Acting Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said Victorian Police had been tackling the issue for the past two years.

“There’s a common misconception that Victoria Police does not and has not acknowledged that it is an issue — that is incorrect,” he said yesterday.

“We have said for a significant period of time there is an issue with over- representation by African youth in serious and violent offending, as well as public disorder issues.”

Victoria Police has previously shied away from saying the youths are part of a gang, but yesterday they said the thugs were behaving like “street gangs”.

“These young thugs — because that’s what they are — these young criminals are not an organised crime group,” Mr Patton said.

“They’re behaving like street gangs, we acknowledge that.”

There were three incidents in December that contributed to the perception that crime was escalating, Mr Patton said.

Police Minister and Bellarine MP Lisa Neville said a small number of “criminal thugs” were responsible for recent street violence.

“It is absolutely unacceptable to see communities terrorised and the fear created that we’ve seen,” she said.

Shadow attorney-general John Pesutto said youths were not deterred by the current corrections system.

“We need to restore the credibility and authority of the justice system,” he said.