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Top crims nabbed

By Shaun Inguanzo
DANDENONG’S worst criminals are dropping like flies to the toughest police intelligence operation in the city’s history.
Local detectives have compiled a Top 10 list of the city’s worst repeat offenders with some criminals continuing their crime sprees while carrying records of 200 convictions.
But since July this year, Dandenong’s Criminal Intelligence Unit has nailed seven of the 10 names on its list, with those criminals either in remand or in prison.
Dandenong CIU Detective Senior Sergeant Terry Kane said the list enabled detectives to target the worst repeat offenders and slash the number of crimes, particularly burglaries, committed each year.
“This strategy appears to be having a positive effect, with overall crime in the Dandenong Crime Response Zone down by 12.1 per cent since (the list) commenced in July,” Det Sen Sgt Kane said.
Dandenong’s approach is being replicated across neighbouring cities such as Casey and Cardinia and is the catalyst for a statewide rollout, according to Region Five Assistant Commissioner Paul Evans.
“It is a smarter way of fighting crime,” Mr Evans said.
“It is done overseas and interstate and we are looking at it as being a force-wide initiative. Research has shown that 70 to 80 per cent of burglars are recidivists.
“Therefore, we will put our energies into catching these people.”
Mr Evans said the Top 10 list was a thorough intelligence operation that involved detectives gathering detailed portfolios on the city’s worst criminals and tracking their movements, and knowing details such as the model of their cars, their addresses and any other movements.
Mr Evans said each detective would monitor three repeat criminals.
“We ensure that uniformed officers on patrol are looking out for these people as well,” Mr Evans said.
“By the end of the year the initiative should be rolled out across the state.
“There will be a database, too, so each CIU knows who is looking at who and there is no doubling-up.”