By Priscilla Moca
A loaded handgun found in the bag of a man who had allegedly stolen a motorbike highlights a “concerning increase” in the number of illegal firearms in Brimbank, police say.
On July 5, police intercepted a motorbike at a Boundary Road service station in Sunshine West.
“The officers spoke briefly to the man before he ran off, and a bag containing a loaded handgun was subsequently located,” said Brimbank’s Inspector Kerin Moloney.
“It’s just an example of the type of gun crimes we’re seeing.”
Inspector Moloney said there had been a “marked jump” in the number of illegal firearm seizures in Brimbank. Recently released police data shows there are 16,312 registered firearms in the area, but Inspector Moloney says his biggest concern is their use.
“We’ve seen a number of incidents in recent months where firearms are being brought out and used in road rage incidents,” he said. “We want the public to avoid engaging in these kind of volatile situations, where things have the potential to escalate beyond your control.”
Delahey, Sydenham and Taylors Hill are home to the most registered firearms in Brimbank – a total of 3277. Shotguns and airguns make up 2270 of this number, centrefire rifles number 936 and there are 63 registered handguns in the area.
St Albans, Kealba and Kings Park top the list for handgun possession, with 202 registered in the area, of a total 2957 registered firearms.
Keilor has 2576 registered firearms, including 24 semi-auto longarms and 123 handguns.
Caroline Springs, Burnside, Deer Park and Cairnlea have a total of 2531 registered firearms, and 44 of them are handguns.
In March this year, 24 people were arrested and a Middle Eastern crime syndicate smashed as police raided 45 houses in 23 suburbs, including Sunshine and Sunshine North, Sunshine West, Hillside, Keilor Downs, Albion and Cairnlea, resulting in arrests for possession of weapons, drugs and stolen items.
Anyone with information about the incident on Boundary Road, Sunshine West, on July 5 should call Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.
… with Ballarat Courier
