Cops Tense up to tackle teen crime spike

By CASEY NEILL

A NARRE Warren 17-year-old will answer charges over a carjacking and two aggravated burglaries.
Acting Inspector Mick Daly is leading Operation Tense, based at Dandenong Police Station and established to tackle an increase in serious aggravated burglaries, car thefts and carjackings in the south-east that are widely being linked to the Apex gang.
“We don’t believe that to be the case,” he said.
“This is an alarming trend in offending that isn’t restricted to one demographic.”
But they do share a common link, Insp Daly said – youth offending.
In this latest case, police allege the teen was involved in two aggravated burglaries, three car thefts and serious assault at homes in East Bentleigh and Ormond on Saturday 23 April.
They allege he also carjacked a vehicle in Ivanhoe on Sunday 1 May and was driving it during a pursuit in Dandenong on Monday 2 May.
Over that incident, he was charged with reckless conduct endangering life, driving at a dangerous speed and evading police. He’ll face the children’s court.
Insp Daly said he was among more than 70 people charged through Operation Tense since it was established in February, with armed robbery, burglary, kidnapping, car theft, assault, and drug offences.
“We were set up to have a good crack at this,” he said.
Officers are trying to figure out why the spike in offences occurred, questioning whether thieves were breaking into homes for keys because modern cars were harder to steal.
“What we find alarming is the use of violence that’s been occurring recently to further their crimes,” Insp Daly said.
He said tactical intelligence officers were assisting officers with analytical support.
Insp Daly said the Chief Commissioner on Friday 29 April announced that Tense was expanding into the northern, eastern and western divisions.
Crime Command will co-ordinate the four regions so they can share intelligence and resources to tackle the problem.
“The offenders aren’t restricted to boundaries,” Insp Daly said.
“That’s why we now have a state-wide co-ordinated response.
“It’s too soon to say if we’re having an effect.
“We’re dedicated to tackling this problem.”