Weapons offences have doubled in Brimbank over the past four years police data has revealed.
It comes as The Age reports police are discovering guns in cars every two days in Melbourne’s north-west, which has been dubbed the “red zone” by officers concerned about a growing gangster culture in the region.
The alarming figure, obtained from The Police Association, follows anecdotal and statistical evidence of a burgeoning gun culture among young men in the area.
Crime Statistics Agency data reveals a jump from 306 weapons and explosives offences in the year to March, 2011, to 619 in the 12 months to March, 2015.
There was an almost threefold jump in firearm offences in the north-west over the same period, from 581 to 1332.
North West Metro Acting Commander Mick Hermans said the north-west figures were “alarming”.
“We’ve been aware of a steady increase in recent years,” he said.
“The detection rate is concerning, and the incidents are concerning.”
He said weapons seized included long arm shotguns, a “smattering of hand guns” and home-made weapons, with some imported from overseas.
A large share were being seized from younger residents.
“More often than not they are young adults, in their 20s,” he said.
