Expanding Operation Phoenix is right — but patrols alone won’t stop the arson and extortion wave

Melbourne Police expanding night‑time patrols under Operation Phoenix to tackle a wave of arson attacks and extortion linked to crime gangs is a necessary response. When people are threatened, property is torched and entire neighbourhoods feel unsafe after dark, visible policing reassures communities and can deter opportunistic offending. That said, patrols are only one layer of a broader strategy that Victorians need if this pattern of violence is to end. For residents and small businesses living with the fear of targeted attacks, the immediate priority is protection. Night patrols across Melbourne will make it harder for offenders to move freely and create the conditions for arrests. They can also provide rapid assistance to people at risk and gather intelligence. Police should be commended for scaling up an operation that targets a pattern of criminality — arson and extortion are not random mischief, they are tactics used by organised offenders to intimidate and extract money. But physical presence cannot be a long‑term substitute for deeper work. Arson and extortion linked to criminal networks thrive where there are gaps in intelligence, weak disruption of criminal finances and limited avenues for victims to get help without fear of reprisals. If the response focuses only on visible patrols, offenders will adapt. A sustainable approach must combine patrols with targeted investigations, financial tracing and stronger cooperation across agencies and jurisdictions. Victims of extortion — often small business owners, tradies and community operators — need clear, low‑barrier reporting pathways and protection. Too many people decide not to involve police because they fear escalation or retribution. Authorities must make it safe for them to come forward, provide witness protection where necessary, and show they will pursue the money trail that funds organised violence. Success looks as much like freezing illicit assets and dismantling procurement networks as it does like putting people in custody. Prevention also requires working with communities where criminal gangs recruit and operate. That means investment in local programs, youth services and opportunities that reduce the appeal of gang involvement. It means collaborating with landlords, insurers and local councils to shore up vulnerable targets — for example, ensuring high‑risk commercial premises have better security advice and rapid response arrangements. Finally, transparency about how resources are being deployed will help maintain public confidence. People want to know patrols are not just temporary shows of force but part of a sustained campaign with clear metrics: arrests, charges laid, assets restrained and decline in incidents. Regular updates from police about outcomes — not just activity — will reassure Melburnians that the state is getting on top of the problem. Expanding Operation Phoenix’s patrols is the right immediate response to a worrying spate of arson and extortion. But to reclaim streets and prevent further harm, policing must be integrated with focused investigations, financial disruption, victim support and prevention work in the communities most at risk. That is the only path to make neighbourhoods safe after dark for the long term.