The New South Wales police minister has rejected claims that gang violence is out of control in the state, despite two people being shot dead in suspected cases of mistaken identity in as many days.
Police minister Yasmin Catley told a media conference on Thursday that while the recent deaths were unacceptable, the force had the resources needed to tackle organised crime gangs. There have been as many as six suspected mistaken identity shootings in Sydney since the start of last year.
Minister's vow on streets
“Let me be very clear: we will not be surrendering our streets to organise criminals,” Catley said. “Not now. Not ever. I do not accept this is out of control.”
NSW police commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that the shootings in Glen Alpine on Tuesday and in Merrylands on Wednesday both were being investigated as mistaken identity killings by organised crime groups. The first victim was a 23-year-old university student shot in his bed, while the second was also not known to police, but reportedly was shot outside the home of a suspected underworld figure.
Overseas orchestration and youth recruitment
“We believe the large majority of these organised crime offences are being orchestrated from overseas, but we know that there are people onshore who are facilitating and putting together the groups that are doing it,” Lanyon said.
He said young people are increasingly being recruited to carry out deadly offences domestically, describing the trend as causing him “great concern”.
“What we’ve seen over the last few days are people who have very little experience, people who have taken a job for very little money, and people who are going to face very lengthy consequences in jail when we arrest them.
“We know that those organising it are recruiting young, inexperienced people and using encrypted communications. So, as an organisation, we are focusing on technology and making sure that we have every capability we need to target these people.”
Arrests and government response
There had been 800 arrests in the past year by the task force targeting gang violence, but there was no shortage of young people who were willing to be recruited, Catley said.
The acting premier, Prue Car, said that the government was considering whether enough was being done to divert young people away from organised crime groups.
“This is a complex set of circumstances, and it’s a terrible, tragic event when we have organised crime, use as a model, going to vulnerable young … kids, basically, for small amounts of money on the dark web to commit murderous crimes, and in some cases, hit the wrong person.
“At the end of the day, this government has acted very swiftly … when it comes to resourcing the police and passing the necessary legislation. And to be honest, nothing’s off the table in the future.”
