In brief
Victoria Police announced an expansion of its Operation Phoenix that will run citywide from Sunday, adding overnight patrols and coordinated action against known offenders. The July‑launched operation has already produced more than 230 arrests linked to organized crime. Police also noted a growing use of young people to carry out serious crimes as part of organised networks.
Victoria Police announced Friday that it will expand Operation Phoenix to cover all of Melbourne, adding dedicated overnight patrols, proactive interventions and saturation of high‑risk areas across the city’s CBD, southern and eastern suburbs.
Operation Phoenix Expansion
The expanded effort, which began in July to disrupt extortion‑related arson attacks, drive‑by shootings and crime‑as‑a‑service behaviour in the city’s northwest suburbs, will now include proactive patrols in all metropolitan areas and target known offenders across the city.
Since its launch, the operation has led to more than 230 arrests, a significant proportion of which are directly linked to organised crime. The police also noted that the expanded operation will incorporate resources from a separate, long‑running effort against aggravated burglaries and vehicle thefts that has recorded over 5,800 arrests since 2023.
In a statement, Victoria Police expressed concern over the growing exploitation of young offenders to carry out serious crimes for organised groups, and warned that arson remains a tool used to intimidate, influence and exert control within those networks.
