In brief
Victoria Police announced on 6 November that its Operation Phoenix will be broadened across Melbourne. The initiative, launched in July to counter organized‑crime extortion, drive‑by shootings and arson, will now include dedicated overnight patrols, proactive interventions and cooperation with a separate burglary and vehicle‑theft operation that has made over 5,800 arrests. The expanded effort is meant to saturate high‑risk areas and address concerns about young offenders being used to carry out serious crimes.
Melbourne police announced on 6 November that the city‑wide effort to tackle shootings and arson will be expanded across metropolitan Melbourne. Victoria Police said the new phase of Operation Phoenix will put officers out on dedicated overnight patrols from Sunday, then continue with proactive patrols and targeted interventions across the city’s central business district, southern and eastern suburbs.
Operation Phoenix, launched in July, was originally aimed at reducing extortion‑related arson attacks, drive‑by shootings and "crime‑as‑a‑service" offending in the city’s northwest suburbs. Since its launch it has led to over 230 arrests, the police said, many of which were linked to organized crime gangs.
The expanded operation will also incorporate resources from a separate policing effort that targets aggravated burglaries and vehicle thefts. That operation has made more than 5,800 arrests since 2023, the police noted, and its support will help sustain the broadened patrol presence.
Victoria Police said it is concerned by the growing use of young offenders to carry out serious crimes on behalf of others. The department said arson is increasingly used as a tool to intimidate, influence and exert control, especially within organized 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," the statement added.
Overnight and High‑Risk Area Operations
The duplication of patrols will focus on high‑risk zones that have reported a spike in shootings or arson. Officers are expected to make unannounced stops at key intersections and community hubs throughout the night.
In addition to overnight coverage, the police plan to "saturate" the city’s central business district and nearby suburbs with rapid response units. A combination of patrol cars, motorcycles and foot patrols will be deployed to keep a visible presence during peak hours.
Targeted interventions will involve known offenders who have been identified in prior investigations. Police will conduct surveillance, surveillance‑driven raids and, where warranted, immediate arrests to break up planned attacks.
Integration with Other Operations
The expanded operation will work in tandem with the existing burglary and vehicle‑theft task force. Pointers and intelligence from that unit will be used to identify individuals with overlapping criminal profiles and potential links to arson or shooting incidents.
The effort also brings community input by encouraging local residents to report suspicious activity and suspected arson or gunfire threats. The police say heightened reporting will help them deploy resources more efficiently.
Legal and Community Implications
Victoria Police stressed that the expanded operation is not a broad sweep but a focused response to the most pressing threats. Officers will aim to arrest those directly involved in violent crime while maintaining public safety through visible policing.
The new measures come ahead of the state election scheduled for 28 November. The timing of the announcement has raised questions among some commentators about the potential impact on election day security, although the police department has not linked the expansion to the electoral calendar.
Community groups have expressed support for the initiative, citing a recent uptick in both arson incidents and neighborhood shootings. Others caution that policing must balance enforcement with community trust, especially in historically marginalized suburbs.
Police released the announcement on their social media channels and confirmed the details through a brief statement on Xinhua, a Chinese state‑run news agency, which published the news on 6 November at 10:45 UTC. The statement had no accompanying quote from a senior officer.
As the city moves into the expanded posture, residents in Melbourne’s high‑risk neighborhoods can expect the sight of police patrol vehicles in more common times and a new policy of overnight searches in areas with a history of gunfire or arson. Victoria Police said it will review the operation’s impact in regular intervals and adjust the strategy as needed to keep the city safer for all residents.
