In brief
Victoria Police will extend its Operation Phoenix across Melbourne with new overnight patrols and targeted interventions. Launched in July to curb extortion‑linked arson and drive‑by shootings in the northwest, the operation now includes the CBD, southern and eastern suburbs and will integrate resources from a separate burglary and vehicle‑theft operation. Officers see rising use of young offenders to carry out serious crimes as a key concern.
On 6 November, the Victoria Police announced that it would extend Operation Phoenix across Melbourne to target shootings and arson attacks that have plagued the city’s northwest suburbs. The announcement came as the agency noted the operation’s success in the previous months, with more than 230 arrests linked to organised crime and extortion.
The original Operation Phoenix was launched in July, concentrating on the fight against extortion‑related arson, drive‑by shootings, and “crime‑as‑a‑service” offending. Since then, Victoria Police said it had seen a significant number of arrests that were directly or indirectly connected to organised crime syndicates.
The expansion will see police conduct dedicated overnight patrols that will cover metropolitan Melbourne from Sunday onward. Officers will also carry out proactive patrols in high‑risk districts, target known offenders and saturation sweep key areas in the city’s CBD, as well as the southern and eastern suburbs.
Victoria Police also said the new phase would incorporate resources from a separate operation focused on aggravated burglaries and vehicle thefts, an initiative that has resulted in over 5,800 arrests since 2023. The two programmes will work in tandem to tackle the full spectrum of violent and property crime in the city.
In a statement, Victoria Police said that it was “concerned by the increasing exploitation of young offenders to carry out serious crimes on behalf of others.” The agency highlighted that arson continues to be used as a tool to intimidate, influence and exert control, particularly among organised criminal networks.
Police also noted that while a number of offences covered by Operation Phoenix target specific neighbourhoods, the broader community still faces significant risks. The agency warned that the incursion of organised crime into violent offences increases the danger to the public and can be difficult to address without clear coordination and targeted strategies.
Operation Scope and Strategy
Under the refreshed strategy, Victoria Police will‑seek not only to arrest offenders but also to deter future incidents through increased visibility and rapid response. Officers will deploy teams to patrol strategically identified streets and intersecting highways during late‑night hours, with an emphasis on placing constant police presence in locations that have demonstrated a propensity for violent behaviour.
Targeted interventions will also involve the use of intelligence‑led investigations and community liaison. The police said that both the Police's Forensic Service and specialist violent crime teams will be mobilised to address incidents in real time, thereby reducing the period between an offence and its apprehension.
Additionally, the operation will leverage information sharing between the different divisions that deal with organised crime, property crime, and vehicle theft. Victoria Police said that its updated approach would be structured to ensure that all available resources are effectively directed across Melbourne’s workforce without duplication.
Police officials said they would continue their involvement in monitoring emerging threats that could arise from a growing trend of violent crime organised by young people. They emphasised that such patterns would lead to more careful coordination and a comprehensive definition of crime strategies in Melbourne’s city and suburbs.
While a sweeping operation of this nature typically raises questions about balancing public safety and civil liberty, Victoria Police reaffirmed that its priority remains the protection and safety of Melbourne’s residents. The agency’s public‑relations office will continue to provide updates as the operation progresses and results come in, offering clarity on arrest figures, community outcomes and resource allocation.
The announcement of this broader operation was made as Victoria prepares for its state election scheduled for 28 November 2026. Police want to ensure that the public confidence in safety is maintained throughout the caretaker period, with the operation designed to respond to crime events in a consistent and measurable manner from now through election day.
