A spate of violent home invasions across the western suburbs has left local families living in fear.
A group of six teenagers is believed to be responsible for six aggravated burglaries in as many days.
In one incident, males armed with hammers forced their way into a Hillside home where a woman was sleeping with her eight-month-old baby.
A group of residents demanding more police to turn the tide of violence at Caroline Springs and Melton say they will rally outside Caroline Springs police station next month.
“It’s the fastest-growing area in Melbourne and [the state government] can’t find money in their budget to employ extra police to have a reasonable presence in the area,” Caroline Springs resident Danial said.
“[The violence] is not only affecting the people who’ve been victims, it affects uncles, aunties, cousins, neighbours, who are all living in fear.”
In less than 48 hours, more than 3000 people ‘liked’ a Facebook page calling for a 24/7 police station at Caroline Springs as well as extra officers.
An online petition has attracted 800 signatures.
One resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said social media had been “inundated” recently with posts about home invasions and carjackings around Caroline Springs.
“The north-west is completely under-resourced when it comes to police,” the resident said.
“Police themselves are frustrated. I’m hoping that our politicians take notice.
“We’re not just calling for a police station to be manned 24 hours; we also need more units to be deployed.”
Police Association secretary Ron Iddles said that while there was no “quick fix”, two things could be done to “stem the tide” of violence.
“Firstly, there must be a reintroduction of proactive police patrols and a more visible police presence in the community,” Mr Iddles said.
“Secondly, our courts have a responsibility to impose appropriate sentences on those who are convicted of such offences. Unfortunately, this hasn’t been occurring.”
In the latest incidents, police say a group of armed males forced their way into a Hillside home last Tuesday and demanded valuables and car keys.
The offenders fled in the woman occupant’s white Holden HSV sedan.
In another, two male teenagers armed with a baseball bat and a knife stole a mobile phone from an 11-year-old boy at the Taylors Hill skatepark on July 4.
Witnesses described the offenders as “reasonably tall” and wearing dark- coloured clothing.
Police believe they went to the skatepark with the intention to steal.
Sergeant Rob Henley, of the Melton Crime Investigation Unit, said while police had not been able to confirm a link between the offenders and the Apex gang, they were not ruling out the possibility.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
