Police have arrested 57 people as part of an operation to crack down on youth offending across the state.
Detectives from all policing regions executed warrants across Melbourne’s suburbs and regional Victoria over the past three days, as part of Operation Liege.
Fifty-seven people were arrested and multiple charges have been laid for offences including carjacking, aggravated burglary, robbery and vehicle crime linked to serious offending.
Warrants were executed in suburbs including Cranbourne, Clyde North, Dandenong, Narre Warren, Frankston, Pakenham, Reservoir, Sunshine, Truganina, Lara and Norlane.
The majority of those arrested are aged between 15 and 21-years-old.
North West Metro Region Commander Tim Hansen said Operation Liege was a state-wide investigative and enforcement capability established in July to disrupt high-harm, high-impact youth offending.
“Detectives from across the state have shared intelligence to identify a priority list of people wanted by police on outstanding warrants or for other matters and ensured they were brought into custody,” Cmdr Hansen said.
“Those targeted through this operation are alleged to have committed offences which caused significant harm to victims and have a substantial impact on the broader community’s feelings of safety.
“These crimes include carjackings, aggravated burglaries, armed robbery and serious street robberies – all horrendous crimes which leave a long-lasting impact on victims.
“Our message to those committing these offences is clear – police will find you, we will hold you to account and we will ensure you do not continue to inflict harm on the Victorian community.”
This operation follows an effective state-wide investigation through Taskforce Burns into a series of group thefts at retail, electronic and telecommunications stores across the state between July and September.
Detectives charged 34 offenders aged between 13 and 19-years-old with more than 150 offences including robbery and shop steal.
“Operation Liege complements the ongoing work of our regional crime teams as well as localised initiatives including operations Wayward and Tidal, which we know have made hundreds of arrests respectively,” Cmdr Hansen said.
“Officers right across Victoria are working hard every day to keep the community safe by holding offenders to account and prevent youth-related crime.
“At a local level police proactively manage bail compliance of high-risk persons of interest and work with partner agencies to help them become engaged in their community through education and employment.”
Operation Liege is an ongoing state-wide investigative and enforcement capability activated as required to address youth-related offending across Victoria.
