Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton has said it is not the job of Victoria Police to solve Melbourne’s African gang crisis.
After returning from leave earlier this month amid public outrage about youth crime in the state, Mr Ashton said police could not solve the problem alone.
Victoria Police are facing criticism over their handling of a spate of violent incidents linked to African gangs such as Apex and Menace to Society.
Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton has said it is not the job of Victoria Police to solve Melbourne’s African gang crisis
Victoria Police are facing criticism over their handling of a spate of violent incidents linked to African gangs such as Apex and Menace to Society
Earlier this month, Ecoville Community Park (pictured) in Tarneit was trashed by African gangs
‘If you’re looking for police to put it to bed, you’re looking in the wrong direction,’ Mr Ashton said after being grilled over the gang problem on 3AW.
‘We’re doing plenty about it but you’re talking about bigger social issues than police solve.’
Mr Ashton also denied the gang crisis is an African problem, saying youth crime is not limited to one ethnic group.
‘It’s almost a United Nations of offending,’ he said.
‘We’ve certainly had a lot of young Africans, Australian kids offending as well, Islander kids, a lot of indigenous kids we’re getting as well.’
Mr Ashton said crime was decreasing and police were making more arrests than ever before, but media coverage made Melbourne look like the ‘Wild West’.
Mr Ashton also denied the gang crisis is an African problem, saying youth crime is not limited to one ethnic group (pictured: a brawl at Highpoint Shopping centre between gangs and police)
A policeman was kicked in the face as he crouched down trying to arrest a 16-year-old boy for shoplifting
The Chief Commissioner also confirmed he has visited the Ecoville estate in Tarneit, where a community centre was trashed by African gangs.
There has since been a large police presence in the area following the damage to the centre.
Wyndham Local Area Commander Inspector Mary Allison said police continued to patrol the park, make arrests, and issue infringements.
‘Property damage, drug activity and anti-social behaviour at the park have been our main concern. The community deserves to feel safe in their local park,’ she said.
‘Members will continue to patrol the area and anyone found conducting criminal activity will be held to account for their actions.’
Mr Ashton said he was ‘saddened’ by what he saw when he visited Tarneit, and said he noticed most residents had their blinds and curtains drawn.