Alex White and Cassie Zervos
11 January 2018
Herald Sun
PREMIER Daniel Andrews says recent attacks by groups in Melbourne should be called “gang crime”.
Returning to the job from leave today, Mr Andrews denied there was a gang crisis but said there had been debate over what to name the recent activity and he would continue to view the issue as gang related.
“I think we have seen some very nasty incidents in recent times … but I am completely confident that Graham Ashton and Victoria Police with record resources are turning this around,” Mr Andrews said.
“I have termed this gang crime. The key point though is it is criminal activity. Provided that you are clear about what you are facing and provided you have an absolute determination to do something meaningful about it — I think Victoria Police have that and more.
“(Deputy Commissioner) Andrew Crisp has made the point in my presence and privately as well, that some people might well be fuelled or pushed on by the notion of being called a gang. I do have some sympathy for the difficult balance that Victoria Police has to strike but I have called this gang crime and that’s what I think most ordinary Victorians would call it.”
But CEO of the Australasian Association of Convenience Jeff Rogut issued a challenge to Mr Ashton on 3AW, requesting that Victoria’s top brass work a night shift at a service station unarmed and alone, following a spate of robberies.
“Go unarmed as our members do … feel how safe one feels,’’ Mr Rogut said.
It is not yet known if Commissioner Ashton is aware of the challenge but Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said he will happily accept.
“All the victims of gang crime are not lying, they have real stories to tell that are being utterly ignored by Daniel Andrews.
“I’ll take up the challenge to work all night at a convenience store to see first-hand the lawlessness that some Victorian workers are dealing with.”
Mr Andrews told media he had regularly visited concerned Victorians and was happy to sit down and have a discussion but did not clarify whether he would take up the dare.
It was revealed Mr Andrews spoke with the Commissioner this morning and was confident police and the gang squad were handling the issue.
Mr Ashton however requested further resources, which Mr Andrews said will be given despite not elaborating on what they were.
Authorities also discussed a national crime database, which is currently being trialled with Mr Andrews saying it would be an effective crime fighting tool.
Bernie Finn post on Graham Ashton comments on gang crisis
Mr Andrews also told media he had taken his family out to dinner in Melbourne while on leave and did not agree with Federal Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton’s comments that Victoria was unsafe claiming “they were designed to be as controversial as possible”.
Yesterday Mr Ashton addressed the media for the first time since returning to work on Monday after six weeks’ sick leave.
“I don’t think it’s a crisis,” he said.
“I wouldn’t describe it as a crisis. I think if you put it into context, you’ve got a few hundred offenders engaging in offending in a city of four-and-a-half million people.”
His comment was strongly criticised Liberal MP Bernie Finn.
Mr Finn posted on Facebook: “Probably better if he’d stayed on leave. Not living in the same Victoria as the rest of us.”
Mr Ashton yesterday emphasised the “street gang” term was not associated with organised crime, such as bikie gangs.
“This is young people coming together and networking through social media and then engaging in criminal activity,” he said.
“It’s much more loosely organised then many people might think. It’s not structured like a bikie gang or other gangs we have in Victoria,
“That’s the behaviour we want to get on top of very quickly is the large groups we’ve had to respond to of late.”
Mr Ashton said “the bigger picture” was that Victoria remains a safe state.
“We’ve got some young people who are engaging in what looks like gang activity or gang related behaviours,” he said.
“We’re not shying away from that but I think it’s important to keep it in perspective,
“I’ve heard people say Victoria isn’t a safe place to live. That’s complete and utter garbage.”
Ashton: “I don’t think it’s a crisis.” Picture: AAP
But Mr Ashton said Victorians were not afraid to go out for dinner.
“I think everyone in this room would go out for dinner … I don’t think anyone is sitting at home cowering with the sheets over their heads,” he said.
The taskforce announcement comes after weeks of violent behaviour committed by teen thugs who have terrorised Melbourne neighbourhoods, destroyed a community park in Tarneit and attacked and injured a police officer.
The taskforce will meet on Friday for the first time.
Mr Ashton said the community taskforce will support police by providing information to authorities on emerging issues and hot spots.
“We know that the vast majority of African Australians in Victoria are decent, law abiding people,” he said.
“They are suffering as a result of the actions of a small cohort of young offenders. The African Australian Community can, and want to, play a role in providing solutions.”
Mr Ashton said Victoria Police will continue to take “tough action” against young offenders.
“When they commit appalling crimes they can expect to be swiftly locked up. There is still a zero tolerance.”
Deputy Commissioner Crisp said the aim of the taskforce was to “ensure” a strong connection and information shared between African-Australian communities and Victoria Police.
“It will allow us to understand emerging issues and where we might need to get tactical on how we deploy resources,” he said.
“It’s important for this community to have the opportunity to connect with Victoria Police and how best we can protect the community.”
Mr Ashton said the African-Australian community are willing to provide solutions on the ongoing issues.
“Victoria police are very willing to receive that support.”
South Sudanese community leader Kot Monoah, left, with Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton.
The community taskforce will also aid in establishing a channel for police to engage with African Australian leaders and provide advice on how they can best deploy officers.
South Sudanese community leader Kot Monoah said the “issues” that were happening were not related to gangs.
“In any way, shape or form is it related to gangs as they’ve been reported,” he said.
“We understand there are behavioural issues happening with young people compounded by drugs and alcohol,
“These sort of issues are our duty and responsibility as a society to address them without mixing them with politics or other messaging.”
Mr Monoah said the community must work together to address underlying “core” issues which have lead youths to behave “in such manner”.
“We will continue to work with Victoria police to find solutions. We are on the ground and we are at the grassroots,” he said.
“We understand when these issues emerge and in what form. It’s something we can notify police and interrupt anti-social activity.”
Mr Ashton emphasised the “street gang” term used was not associated with organised crime, such as bikie gangs.
“This is young people coming together and networking through social media and then engaging in criminal activity,” he said.
“It’s much more loosely organised then many people might think. It’s not structured like a bikie gang or other gangs we have in Victoria,
“That’s the behaviour we want to get on top of very quickly is the large groups we’ve had to respond to of late.”
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