CARJACKINGS sit atop a range of high profile offences being monitored by police in Mordialloc, Keysborough, Braeside, Carrum and Patterson Lakes, with crime statistics Victoria-wide showing the brazen thefts have shot up 80 per cent in the past year.
Victoria Police launched Operation Cosmas in May to respond to the rise in aggravated burglaries and carjackings, with 60 people arrested state-wide since the operation began.
Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton told ABC News that people were becoming concerned about gang-related activity and what he dubbed the “Grand Theft Auto generation”.
In recent weeks, loose associations of young men possibly emanating from the infamous Apex crime gang have targeted drivers of expensive European cars in Malvern and nearby suburbs, innocuously bumping into them on lonely roads late at night/early morning. When the drivers pull over they are bashed and their cars stolen for use in crime sprees.
Patterson River CFA crews were first on the scene when a stolen Honda CRV was torched on the Mornington Peninsula freeway off-ramp at Thames Promenade, 12.30am, Wednesday 29 June.
The car had been nabbed a few days earlier at Hampton Park. It was set alight using accelerant. Patrolling police and the Dog Squad were unable to find the offenders.
Three recent carjackings in Frankston – on Frankston-Flinders Rd, 30 October; in Bartlett St, Frankston South, 5 November, and in Ashley Av, Frankston, 15 June – highlight the dangers to motorists of driving late at night.
The government is believed to be working closely with police on tough new laws, with an offence of carjacking to target those stealing a car using force or putting a person in fear of being subjected to force.
The offence of aggravated carjacking would apply where force is excessive, causes injury, or involves using a weapon.
The rise in vehicle-related crime has been driven by a significant increase in the theft of number plates,” Acting Superintendent Simon Humphrey said.
This information is included in Frankston police district crime statistics released recently. They show that, in the year to March, a record 15,286 offences were reported in Frankston compared to 14,271 the year before – a 7.1 per cent hike (or 1015 offences) in the year.
“The stolen plates are used to commit further offending, including petrol theft, petrol drive offs and toll and fine avoidance,” he said.
“Number plates are relatively easy to steal, particularly those that have not been fixed with tamper-resistant screws. Victoria Police is currently engaged with VicRoads in work towards the development and implementation of theft-resistant and tamper-proof number plate technologies.
“But we also urge people to look after and secure their property – including number plates. They are commonly stolen from vehicles parked in residential streets, near railway stations and shopping centres.
“Where possible, people should park vehicles off-street, in locked garages where possible, or in well-lit areas.”
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 6 July 2016
