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Is There Gang Violence In Australia? The Truth About Melbourne Crime Figures

Learn more about Melbourne’s ongoing fight against crime.

Melbourne has been voted the best city in Australia, but that doesn’t exclude it from organised crime and gang violence! Read on to find out more about big-time Melbourne crime figures and what authorities are doing to stop them.

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Melbourne Crime Rate By Suburb

The Melbourne crime rate has been declining over the past few years, but there’s been a recent resurgence of felons in dangerous suburban areas. According to crime statistics, there are three homes burgled every hour in Craigieburn, Braybrook, Robinson, Cardinia, and Clyde. 

If you want to check out which areas are most susceptible, you can find the Melbourne crime rate for burglary on this interactive map by racv.com.au.

A man breaking into a dark coloured car
(Credit: Getty)
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Melbourne Crime History

While sexual assault, murder, homicide, and gun violence have citizens on their toes, these particular crimes are quite rare in Melbourne. The most common crimes involve physical altercations, trespassing, burglary, and damaging public or private property. 

Some people believe that Melbourne gangs are behind the new wave of crimes, but the numbers tell us that most unique offenders are Australia-born youths between the ages of 15 to 25. To understand where the fear comes from, here are some controversial reports on Melbourne crime figures that shocked the country and the rest of the world.

Three Australian police next to a police car
(Credit: Getty)

The Gangland War

The notorious gangland war led by underground kingpins resulted in 36 deaths over 12 years starting from 1998. Italian crime figures Carl Williams, Jason Moran, Mark Moran, Mick Gatto, and Alphonse Gangitano split up into factions with each of them fighting for power and influence. The killings were straight out of a mafia gangster movie, ending with the arrest of Carl in 2010.

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Middle Eastern Crime

Melbourne gang violence was rampant in 2014, with organised Middle-Eastern drug syndicates threatening the safety of communities. This heightened profiling “persons of interest” in the city, including Abdul Numan Haider. He was shot dead by police officers outside the Endeavor Hills police station after the 18-year-old attempted to attack the cops with a knife. This incident raised tensions in the country, and Islam leaders took to the press to engage with the public on the tragedy.

The Apex Gang & Sudanese Australians

Last year, there was a national debate about the so-called ‘Apex Gang’ which associated rebellious migrant youths with dangerous gangs. It all started with an alleged riot at the Melbourne’s Moomba Festival that resulted in 53 arrests and hundreds of weapon searches. This sparked protests brought about by the issue of racial discrimination, showing how the media and government were quick to paint the African youths as menaces to society.

Protesters in Melbourne protesting over racist media reporting
(Credit: Getty)

Public discourse about the Australian government’s discrimination towards other ethnicities and nationalities was all over the news. Tabloid publications like The Herald Sun reported that the Sudanese are 128 times more likely than other Victorians to commit violent robberies and 68 times more likely to stage home invasions.However, the Crime Statistics Agency debunked this claim, proving that Sudanese-Australians make up only 1 percent of the crimes committed. In fact, a majority of all crimes committed in the country are by native Australians!

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Teenage Crime Sprees

In 2019, more teenagers have been caught trashing cars, breaking into houses, and shoplifting. These offenders are as young as 15, and Victoria Police Commander Tim Hansen believes that they’re doing it for notoriety, telling abc.net.au: “A number of offenders would hit retail outlets simultaneously and, by force or coercion, steal mainly electronic items, but also clothing and alcohol.” Once apprehended, teens are taken into counselling and rehabilitation for their bad behaviour while young people over the age of 21 are sentenced as adults and punished by law.

Protecting The City

Victoria police have been working hard to keep thugs and rowdy teens off the streets, and their efforts have been paying off. Although there have been instances of tragic shootings and robberies, Melbourne is reclaiming its position as one of the safest and most livable cities in the world.

Authorities had a recent crackdown on crime, arresting over 50 young criminals all over the city to bring justice to victims. Police Commander Tim Hansen spoke to his countrymen through The Australian, saying: “Can I just reassure the public that Victoria and Melbourne is by global standards a safe place to live. While we felt it necessary to take the action that we did yesterday, that has no bearing or effect on what a liveable place Melbourne is.”

Staying Safe

Despite what you hear on the media, criminals in Melbourne are on a steady decline, and the city remains one of the most popular visitations among tourists, travellers, and immigrants. Don’t let the rumours fool you – Melbourne ranks high on the scale of safety with police presence in every suburb.

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Every city has its fair share of terror and trouble, but the Victorian government is doing everything in its power to protect its community!

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