By CASEY NEILL
FIREARM offence figures for Greater Dandenong are already the fourth highest in the state but could rise further.
Dandenong police Inspector Stephen O’Donnell said there was an increased focus on detecting and prosecuting weapon offences in the police service area (PSA).
This included a random weapons and drugs search at Dandenong Railway Station on Friday 4 December.
The highly-visible operation included walk-through metal detectors and hand-held wands and Passive Alert Detector (PAD) dogs.
“The number of offences in the Greater Dandenong PSA may rise further before we start to see a decline,” he said.
“Any form of offending whereby members of our community can potentially be harmed is always concerning.”
Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) figures showed 152 firearms offences recorded in Greater Dandenong for the 12 months to 30 June.
This figure was down from 182 the previous year, but well above the 87 recorded in 2010 and 54 in 2005.
Neighbouring Casey was in second place, with 226 offences.
“Firearms offences differ greatly,” Insp O’Donnell said.
“They can range from offenders in possession of illegal firearms to licensed firearms holders committing storage compliance offences.”
Insp O’Donnell encouraged the public to contact Crime Stoppers with any information that could help police to reduce firearms offences.
“We rely on this assistance to help build our intelligence,” he said.
New laws to help police remove illegal guns from the streets came into force on 1 December.
Anyone caught possessing three or more unregistered firearms over a 12-month period can now be prosecuted for trafficking under the Firearms Act reforms.
Where a firearm is found but those present deny any knowledge of the weapon or claim it is not theirs, the laws will place the onus on the person to show the firearm is not in their possession.
The manufacture of firearms and theft of a firearm are new offences.
“We are serious about helping police ensure they have the laws to combat the circulation of illegal firearms,’’ Police Minister Wade Noonan said.
