Victoria Police expands arson operation to CBD and south from Sunday
Operation Phoenix has made 236 arrests since July. It now expands across Melbourne. It fights arson and gang violence linked to extortion.
Victoria Police is expanding Operation Phoenix. Operation Phoenix targets arson, drive-by shootings and vehicle thefts linked to organized crime.
The operation started in July in Melbourne's north-west. The operation will now extend to the CBD and south-east from Sunday.
Since July, it has resulted in 236 arrests. Many are tied to extortion and gang crime.
Police are concerned about young offenders being led by taskmasters working for jailed crime lord Kazem Hamad. Officers recently arrested three youths aged 15, 16 and 17 who were allegedly discussing setting fire to a property.
Operation Trinity, which targeted burglaries, will be combined with Phoenix to create a larger, more flexible operation.
- 236
- Arrests since launch
- July
- Operation start date
- Kazem Hamad, jailed Iraqi crime lord
- Crime lord coordinating
Why it mattersThe expansion shows police are responding to gang attacks. These attacks target residents and businesses across Melbourne's suburbs.
AustraliaMelbourne residents in the CBD and south-east now face increased police patrols targeting gang violence, though the ongoing threat of extortion-linked arsons remains a concern for businesses and homes.
