NSW police deploy extra officers to southwest Sydney after two shootings

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon sent extra police patrols and aerial surveillance to southwest Sydney after two innocent men were shot dead.

Why it mattersGang violence is a major safety concern in southwest Sydney and is shaping next year's state election.

AustraliaSouthwest Sydney residents now face increased police presence as authorities respond to gang violence that has killed two people in three days.

✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago

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File image: White police tape with blue lettering on concrete ground

✓ The Guardian AustraliaPower & Policy

Mistaken-identity shootings kill two in Sydney as gangs recruit

Two people were shot dead in Sydney in suspected mistaken-identity killings within two days. Police say this is part of a pattern: as many as six such shootings since the start of last year.

Why it mattersThe shootings show how organised crime is bringing deadly violence to Sydney by exploiting young Australians to commit murders. Many of the victims are hit by mistake.