A police blitz targeting recidivist family violence perpetrators in the north-west resulted in 230 arrests.
The offenders were tracked down and apprehended by police across multiple days throughout September and October in Victoria Police’s north-west metro region.
Detectives from the Westgate Family Violence Investigation Unit and Broadmeadows Family Violence Investigation Unit teamed up to lead the blitz, with the Family Violence Command Taskforce and the Public Order Response Team.
Those arrested have allegedly committed multiple violent crimes against current and former partners and their children, police said.
The blitz focussed on repeat family violence perpetrators who are known to offend on multiple occasions across a 12-month period and specialist support services were also engaged, helping to disrupt patterns of violence.
Those arrested included a 42-year-old man who was wanted by police after failing to appear in court for serious family violence offending; a 35-year-old man who allegedly committed a family violence-related aggravated burglary; a 42-year-old woman who allegedly assaulted another woman at a shopping centre.; an 18-year-old man who allegedly committed multiple counts of deception and damaged his parents property; and a 37-year-old man who allegedly persistently contravened a family violence intervention order.
Police also served 187 family violence intervention orders and executed more than 120 outstanding warrants throughout the blitz.
Westgate Family Violence Investigation Unit Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Fiona Waters said police were serious about ensuring recidivist family violence perpetrators are held responsible for their actions.
“Family violence is completely unacceptable – which is why we will continue to work tirelessly to target and apprehend offenders and keep victims safe,” she said,
Broadmeadows Family Violence Investigation Unit Detective Sergeant Chris Couacaud said, “Whether it’s committing violent assaults against their loved ones, breaching a family violence intervention order or using technology to stalk or harass – those that choose to engage in this behaviour should think again. They will be tracked down by police and held to account”.
If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s behaviour support services are available.
No to Violence runs a Men’s Referral Service which helps men who use violence to change their behaviour and can be contacted on 1300 766 491.
Support is available 24 hours a day through Safe Steps by calling 1800 015 188 or emailing safesteps@safesteps.org.au
In an emergency call triple-0. If you can’t get to a phone, ask someone else to do it for you.
