Latest news with #OperationAlliance
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Sky News AU
Victoria's crime rate surges 15 per cent in past year, as youth offending hits highest rate since electronic records began
Crime in Victoria is now at record highs with youth offending increasing by the largest rate since electronic records began. The latest crime statistics, released on Thursday, show there were 627,268 criminal offences committed in Victoria in the year ending March 2025, an increase of 17.1 per cent. When population growth is taken into account, this amounts to a 15.2 per cent increase in crime in one year, with 8,838.7 offences being committed for every 100,000 people. The increase comes despite Victoria Police performing an average of 208 arrests per day – 23 per cent more than a decade ago. "There is no doubt overall crime is higher than both the community and police would like," Acting Deputy Commissioner of Regional Operations David Clayton said. 'That's why every police officer is working tirelessly to reduce crime and hold criminals accountable – as they did in these twelve months with a record 75,968 arrests.' Police said the number of arrests was now the highest since electronic records began in 1993, and most likely, in Victoria Police's 172-year history. This staggering increase in crime is being driven in part by record-high youth offending, which has increased by almost 18 per cent in the past year and 42 per cent since March 2015. According to Victoria Police, offences committed by individuals aged between 10 and 17 are now at their highest levels since electronic records began. "Children only account for 13.1 per cent of all offenders processed, however they are overrepresented in serious and violent crimes such as robberies (63.1 per cent), aggravated burglaries (46 per cent), and car theft (26.9 per cent)," police said in a statement. "Victoria Police has made 3,300 arrests of Victoria's worst youth offenders over the past year as part of Operation Trinity (home burglaries and car thefts) and Operation Alliance (youth gangs)." While acknowledging the crime rates were 'unacceptable', Victorian Police Minister Anthony Carbines was quick to point out that the latest statistics did not capture the impact of the Allan government's changes to bail laws – which took effect on March 28. 'Our unique offender rate remains stable. What that's telling us is that it's many of the same people committing additional offences that are driving our crime rate. That is why the government has introduced the toughest bail laws in the country,' Mr Carbines said. 'The government has acted, (and there has been) more offenders remanded than ever before since these changes took effect. 'We've seen a 100 per cent increase in young offenders remanded. We've seen a 31 per cent increase in adult offenders remanded. 'We will start to see those people unable to commit further offending. So I think we'll start to see that change picked up in future quarters.' The Police Minister said the government would also be introducing additional bail laws after parliament's winter break, as well as so-called post and boast laws. "We also have the second tranche of our bail reforms coming after the parliamentary winter ... which will be about high harm crimes, aggravated burglary, carjackings, home invasions," he said. "Where people commit those offences and repeat those offences, it'll be extremely difficult to get bail, extremely difficult. "We will also be bringing tougher measures, as you have seen, the crime statistics around retail crime, we cannot accept the growth in retail crime, that it's okay to continually, repeatedly steal from businesses." The fastest growing crimes included: Theft from motor vehicle - 82,414 offences, an increase of 39.3 per cent since last year. Theft from a retail store - 41,270 offences, an increase of 38.6 per cent since last year. Motor vehicle theft - 31,551 offences, an increase of 47.1 per cent since last year. Aggravated residential burglary - 7,878 offences, an increase of 30.5 per cent since last year. Total Serious Assaults - 17,732 offences, an increase of 14 per cent since last year. Theft (other) offences - 58,137 offences, an increase of 20.5 per cent since last year. Family violence order breaches - 63,809 offences, an increase of 18.3 since last year. Opposition leader Brad Battin said the statistics showed Labor had failed Victorians. 'This is evidence that what Labor is doing is not working – community safety is clearly not their priority and Victorians are suffering,' Mr Battin said. 'We're now in a position where people do not feel safe in the one place they should – their home. 'Labor has lost control of crime in this state; only a Liberals and Nationals government will ensure that if you break bail, you will face jail and that offenders face consequences for their actions.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
More than £600k cash seized and 26 arrests made in four-day drugs crackdown
More than £600,000 in cash has been seized and 26 arrests made following four policing operations targeting drug supply across Cumbria. The four days of action in Penrith, Barrow, west Cumbria, and Carlisle saw officers conduct 18 warrants and 15 stop searches where they recovered: £612,300 in cash 81 cannabis plants Over 2,000 cannabis edibles and vapes Over 200 Pregabalin Numerous recoveries of cocaine, cannabis (herbal), Ketamine and other benzodiazepine Numerous weapons including samurai sword, knives, and air rifles. Illicit Tobacco and cigarettes Cryptocurrency and associated paraphernalia. More than 20 vehicles were stopped during the operations with a number of traffic offence reports issued and drug wipes conducted. Detective Superintendent Ian Hussey said: "The four operations aimed to disrupt and target those involved in drug supply in Cumbria. "Drug offences often lead to other types of crimes which has a negative impact on our communities. "The commissioner's funding allowed us to take targeted action across four days across our county. "However, the work does not stop there, our officers continue to target those involved in serious and organised crime. "We urge anyone with information on drug activities within our community to report information to us. "Without your reporting we may not become aware of criminal activities or be able to get the results we have seen with these operations." The operations, conducted as part of Operation Alliance, were funded by Police, Fire, and Crime Commissioner David Allen as part of the Drugs Fund. Officers engaged with businesses and members of the public in pubs and bars - 21 pubs were visited by drug scanning dog PD Drake and his handle PC Mann. A number of schools were also visited by officers so they could speak to students about the dangers of drugs, what to look out for, and how to protect themselves from county line drug dealers. Ten safeguarding referrals were made by officers. Commissioner David Allen said: "I'm proud to have used money seized from drug dealers to fund operations that target others involved in drug crime. Turning criminals' profits against them is an effective and responsible use of resources. "I promised a zero-tolerance approach to drugs, which cause immense harm to our communities. We're delivering on that promise. "Each operation costs around £10,000 to carry out, and so far, they've resulted in over £600,000 worth of cash and harmful drugs being taken off our streets. "Importantly, some of this recovered money will also be reinvested into our communities, supporting local projects such as youth and sports clubs. These initiatives provide safe spaces for young people, promote discipline, and crucially help steer them away from the dangers of drug involvement."
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
Nine arrests and more than £500,000 seized in crackdown on drug supply
OVER half a million pounds has been seized and nine arrests made following a police operation in Carlisle. Operation Huelva, which was conducted yesterday, Friday, May 2, was funded by the police, fire, and crime commissioner, David Allen, as part of the Drugs Fund. In total, seven warrants were executed across the city, leading to nine people being arrested for a variety of offences, including the supply of controlled drugs and possession of criminal property. Volumes of cocaine, ketamine, and cannabis were recovered across these warrants, as well as more than £556,000 in cash. Officers also seized over a thousand cannabis vapes, hundreds of edibles, and a samurai sword. Detective superintendent Ian Hussey said: 'Operation Huelva, is the fourth policing operation we have carried out this year to target criminals involved in illicit drugs. 'This operation targeted activities within Carlisle and aimed to disrupt, prevent and target those who supply drugs in our communities. 'The work falls under the umbrella of Cumbria Constabulary's overarching response to serious and organised crime – Operation Alliance. 'As part of this operation, officers carried out several warrants to target criminals. We also had officers out in the city centre visiting pubs and clubs and providing a visible presence to disrupt criminal behaviour. 'We urge anyone with information on drug activities within our community to report information to us.' Following the warrants, officers moved into the city centre, visiting licensed premises, speaking to management and engaging with customers. Officers were also giving out advice on spiking and conducting work to prevent Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Cumbria's police, fire and crime commissioner, David Allen, added: 'Time and time again, residents raise with me their concerns around drugs within our communities, which is why it is, quite rightly, one of my key priorities to disrupt and end drugs supply in Cumbria. 'The Police and I have a zero-tolerance policy regarding drugs – the funding provided by my Office to the Police allows us to target and tackle the individuals who deal drugs in Cumbria." You can report information about drug dealing in the community or think someone may be a victim of drug exploitation, quickly and easily online via:
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Yahoo
Hundreds of cannabis plants seized by police in drugs blitz
Police in Cumbria have seized nearly 700 cannabis plants worth £550,000 in a massive drugs crackdown. Raids were carried out over three days, targeting industrial-scale cannabis farms run by organised crime gangs. The swoop was part of Operation Mille, a national effort to tackle illegal grows, and Cumbria Constabulary's Operation Alliance with overall aims to bust serious and organised crime. Cops stormed properties in Workington and Seascale, shutting down drug factories. Detective Superintendent Ian Hussey said these cannabis farms are no small-time operations: 'Some people may think cannabis-related crime is not serious. 'But some of the grows uncovered by our officers in Cumbria during their duties and investigations throughout the year are on an industrial level. 'This type of drugs enterprise in general can also involve exploitation and violence, with crime gangs using this to protect their cannabis grows. 'People should be under no illusion that serious and organised crime groups operate in Cumbria. 'It is these groups who are behind the industrial levels of cannabis growth grown in the sort of premises we target all-year-round.' He urged the public to be on high alert and report suspicious activity. Telltale signs of a cannabis farm include: Strong, sickly odours coming from a property Windows constantly covered Excessive security measures like CCTV Condensation on windows A high number of visitors at odd hours Bright lights running all day and night The constant hum of ventilation DS Hussey added of the dangers these illegal operations pose: 'Cannabis farms are very dangerous places and pose a serious risk of fire. 'Often the electricity meter has been bypassed - and seriously overloaded electrical circuits run close to water-filled pipes. 'Plants grown upstairs in a building can also cause floorboards to rot, presenting the danger of collapse.' READ NEXT: Men arrested after moped theft Do you have information that can help the police? Anyone with information can report online at You can also phone on 101. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
