By ANEEKA SIMONIS
YOUTH gangsters on non-permanent visas who are found guilty of invading families’ homes should be deported back to their country of origin, according to La Trobe MP Jason Wood.
The former police officer said violent aggravated burglaries and carjackings committed by Sudanese youths is getting out of control and that the Government ought to crack down on them before someone is killed.
“With the crimes these guys are doing, the only thing they haven’t done is murder.
“And if you’ve got people running into houses with guns, someone is going to get shot. If they drive off in a stolen car, someone could get run over,” he said.
Mr Wood wants non-permanent citizens including refugees found guilty of violent gang-related offences to be deported back to their country of origin.
He is also appealing for the National Anti-Gang Squad to focus their target and intelligence on diminishing theses gangs, particularly Apex which is now reportedly made up of up to 600 gang members.
“I am hearing Victoria Police have so many jobs that they can’t keep up. It’s getting worse and worse and it’s not stopping.
“They need to be topped up with National Anti-Gang Squad members,” he said.
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection confirmed Mr Wood’s deportation proposal is under current consideration.
“The Government will consider any options which improve community safety and the Minister is considering Mr Wood’s proposal,” a spokesman for Immigration and Border Protection Minister Peter Dutton said.
Currently, non-citizens who are either sentenced to 12 months or more in jail or have been found guilty of a sexual based crime involving a child will have their visa cancelled.
The proposal has been met with strong support from various community members including a three-time victim in Beaconsfield.
The mum of four kids aged six to 15 has had her door kicked in by Sudanese youths and threatened with firearms during the repeat attacks which have left her children deeply traumatised.
“If these people want to offend and traumatise families, they need to be deported along with their families. (Police) have no control over them,” she said.
Mr Wood has appealed to Minister for Justice Michael Keenan for support on tackling youth crime in across Melbourne and for the involvement with the AFP’s anti-gang squad.
A spokesperson for Mr Keenan said home invasion and related youth crimes come under the responsibility of the State Government.
However on Tuesday 2 August, the Commonwealth Government announced it would pump $3 million into the Victorian team of the National Anti-Gang Squad so it can continue to disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups up until 2019.
However Mr Keenan said the funding would focus on Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCG) which are thought to be responsible for importing illicit drugs and firearms.
Allegations surfaced earlier this year linking youth gangs with OMCGs.
In March, Star News reported Apex and Young Crucified Warriors (YCW) gang members were selling stolen high-end vehicles to the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang.
State Minister for Police Lisa Neville said there would be a significant crack down including specific stand-alone offences for carjacking and home invasion.
“The laws will reflect the seriousness of these crimes and, as the community would expect, the penalties will be significant.”
Mr Wood and Gembrook MP Brad Battin plan to discuss the issue with leaders of the Sudanese community.
Pakenham police Senior Sergeant Nathan Prowd said he is also planned to meet with the Sudanese community to discuss youth engagement and policing concerns.
