A new Illicit Firearms Unit (IFU) has been set up within Victoria Police to prevent firearms falling into the wrong hands and to protect communities from serious and organised crime.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Lisa Neville said the new unit focused on deterring and disrupting firearm related crime and included a team of 22 experienced investigators.
“The unit will focus on investigating the manufacturing and trafficking of illicit firearms, and work to proactively stop this criminal activity in its tracks, including that linked to organised crime groups and gangs,” Ms Neville said.
“Additionally, Victoria Police will continue to focus on the risk that illegal firearms pose in the community in relation to homicides, shootings, drugs and family violence,” she said.
“The team will work closely with enforcement Agencies across Australia and monitor a range of investigations and incidents to help stop the manufacturing and trafficking of illegal firearms into the State.”
Ms Neville said that in 2017, 10 detectives were allocated to the Firearms Investigation Teams within the Victoria Police’s Armed Crime Squad.
She said an additional 12 positions had been added to enable the establishment of the dedicated IFU, led by a Detective Inspector and Detective Senior Sergeant.
The Minister said the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission estimated there were more than 260,000 firearms in the illicit firearms market across Australia and last year Victorian police seized more than 770 firearms.
