Operation Cosmas was set up in May to prevent, deter and investigate violent crime after a series of aggravated burglaries and carjackings across Victoria.
Over the last three months, police have saturated parts of Melbourne with additional resources, resulting in officers making 130 arrests since the operation commenced.
“Operation Cosmas demonstrates the critical work being done by our crimefighters to keep people safe and to address the concerns many Victorians have about crime in our communities,” Premier Daniel Andrews stated.
“Since May, this operation has been instrumental in arresting the ringleaders of violent crime in our community – and it’s having a major impact on community safety.”
Many of the ringleaders of violent crime are on remand and facing serious charges, which is why police continue to deploy units from the Operational Response Unit into high-volume crime areas, as well as utilising the dog squad and Air-Wing unit for surveillance – while day and night patrols are being conducted at high-risk locations.
Meanwhile, the $596 million Public Safety Package announced in the Victorian Budget 2016/17 will fund an extra 406 sworn police officers, mobile technology and other specialist equipment.
Of the new officers funded, 300 frontline police will be deployed across Victoria, including in Melbourne’s growth corridors, to respond to local crime issues and the increased demand for police.
An additional 30 members will be recruited to the Anti-Gangs Division as part of the package.