Operation Phoenix is expanding across metropolitan Melbourne, bringing together Victoria Police’s response to serious and violent crime under a focused, large-scale overnight operation.
The move follows the operation’s success in Melbourne’s north-west since its launch in July, targeting extortion-related arsons, drive-by shootings and associated crime-as-a-service offending.
Since then, police have conducted around 10,000 dedicated overnight patrols, resulting in more than 236 arrests, with a significant portion directly linked to organised crime and extortion-related offending.
Notable arrests include:
- Three youths who were overheard by a passerby allegedly discussing committing an arson offence outside a property in Greenvale, with one in possession of a jerry can. Phoenix units attended and tracked a stolen vehicle which the trio had took off inside. Police followed the vehicle throughout multiple suburbs and when attempting to intercept the vehicle in Melbourne’s north their vehicle was rammed. Three occupants, aged 15, 16 and 17, were arrested before officers located two jerry cans in the boot of the vehicle. Police later executed a search warrant at the 17-year-old’s address and seized a firearm.
- A 25-year-old man who police arrested while patrolling the street of a Brooklyn tobacco store. The Phoenix unit intercepted the male driver after observing them behaving suspiciously in the vehicle. Upon searching the vehicle officers located more than 330 cartons of illicit tobacco and a conducted energy device. The man – who has known links to Middle Eastern Organised Crime groups – was charged with a range of offences.
- Two men, aged 35 and 44, who police observed travelling in an allegedly stolen vehicle in Somerton. The police Air Wing tracked the vehicle to Meadow Heights where two occupants allegedly fled on foot. Phoenix units responded and arrested the pair before locating jerry cans in the vehicle.
- Two men, aged 38 and 35, with extensive links to organised crime who were arrested after police observed a stolen vehicle while patrolling a Werribee shopping strip. Police subsequently seized a firearm from one of the men, who was also wanted and charged for an extortion at a tobacco store in Footscray where he allegedly claimed to be a police officer and demanded the owner close the store.
From Sunday, dedicated patrols will expand beyond Melbourne’s western and northern suburbs to include the CBD and Yarra, as well as the city’s southern and eastern suburbs. Phoenix resources will operate across metropolitan Melbourne every night of the week and can also be deployed to regional areas based on intelligence.
The operation will target serious and violent offending in all forms, including aggravated burglaries, vehicle thefts, arson attacks, drive-by shootings and extortion.
Local officers, with assistance from the Public Order Response Team, will conduct proactive patrols, target known offenders, saturate high-risk locations, respond to emerging incidents and disrupt criminal activity before offences occur.
As part of these changes, Operation Trinity resources will be integrated into Phoenix.
Launched in March 2023, Operation Trinity targeted aggravated burglaries and vehicle thefts, leading to more than 5,881 arrests and a reduction in home break-ins across Victoria.
Its dedicated resources and proven tactics will now strengthen an expanded metropolitan-wide response to serious and violent crime.
The changes reflect Victoria Police’s commitment to adapting to evolving crime trends and directing resources towards offending that causes the greatest harm in the community.
Police continue to see arson used as a tool to intimidate, influence and exert control, particularly among organised criminal networks.
While much of this offending is targeted in nature, Victoria Police remains concerned about the significant risks these incidents pose to the broader community.
Police are also concerned by the increasing exploitation of young offenders to carry out serious crimes on behalf of others, often for minimal financial gain and with little regard for the significant criminal and personal consequences they face.
Working closely with the State Command and Coordination Centre (SCCC), Phoenix patrols will continue to be guided by the latest intelligence and deployed where they can have the greatest impact.
The operation will also work alongside Operation Eclipse, which targets the criminal entities responsible for planning, facilitating and directing extortion-related offending.
Anyone with information about suspicious activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill, Regional Operations:
“Operation Phoenix has delivered significant results since its launch, and that’s why we’re expanding it across metropolitan Melbourne.
“By bringing Operation Trinity into Phoenix, we’re creating a larger, more agile operation with the flexibility to respond to both established and emerging crime trends.
“Whether it’s an aggravated burglary, vehicle theft, arson attack or drive-by shooting, our focus is the same: preventing harm and holding offenders to account.
“We’re bringing together the proven tactics of Operation Trinity with the proactive approach of Operation Phoenix to create a stronger response to serious and violent crime.
“As crime trends change, so does our response. We’re directing our resources where they can have the greatest impact on community safety.
“We’re targeting everyone involved, from those commissioning and tasking the crime, to those carrying out the attacks. There will be no place for offenders to hide.”
