THE force of the explosion that rocked a peaceful Skye Sunday morning late last month would almost certainly have injured the offenders, Frankston Crime Investigation Unit detectives say. Security footage of the blast – believed to be of a malfunctioning aerial explosive device – shows the pre-dawn sky lit up as it goes off, with residents surrounding the reserve on Sanoma Drive rudely wakened from the slumber. Police are appealing for public assistance in tracking down the culprits – if only to clear them of anything sinister in their motives. Emergency services were called to a reserve bordered by Sanoma…
Author: Stephen Taylor
THE leader of a mosque at Langwarrin believes a vendetta is being waged against his congregation. Imam Syed Wadood Janud said three men were attacked at the mosque by intruders at about 9pm on Friday 4 September, leaving one victim with a broken nose and the others with facial injuries. The Bait-ul-Salam Mosque in Leisureland Drive is the Victorian headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, an Islamic movement whose members are persecuted by Muslims in some other countries, particularly Pakistan. Members of the community were said to be in shock at the cowardly attack and security at the mosque is…
A FRANKSTON MICA paramedic and a Chelsea policeman have been recommended for bravery awards after rescuing a woman in difficulties off Chelsea beach, 9pm, Thursday 27 August (‘Duo’s daring sea rescue ‘brave’ effort’, The News 2/9/15). The Chelsea woman was seen by a passer-by near Maury Rd wading out in rough and dangerous waters fully clothed. She was distressed after a personal issue and would not be consoled. The witness tried in vain to reach the woman as she swam away; he saw her head go under and lost sight of her, and then waded back to shore and called…
IT’S BEEN a year, and Frankston’s Maori Elders say their street patrols are lessening crimes by young Pacific islanders. Elders’ operations manager Eva Halford said efforts by the police and Elders over the past 12 months to break down cultural barriers between “disengaged” youth – often coming to Frankston by train – had largely been effective. “When we started, the crime rates had risen 94 per cent but, since the patrols, they are down 31 per cent,” she said. “We keep in constant touch with Victoria Police and, with their help, have been able to scale down our weekend patrols…
CRIME gangs with a disciplined culture and ability to plan and set targets on the move have hit Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula. The tech savvy gangs use social media, including Facebook, and encryption apps to co-ordinate activities, allowing their members to mobilise and disperse quickly, recruit members and plan their next hit. Easy access to stolen cars and quicker freeway travel times mean that our once sleepy hamlets are now high on the agenda of the often race-related gangs who regard “slap on the wrist” penalties as green cards to commit more crimes. Mornington Detective Sergeant Nick Vallas said…