The message from NSW Police has been sent loud and clear.
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If you are part of a bikie gang or taking part in organised crime in the Illawarra, Raptor South is coming for you.
Raptor South is a dedicated force of 23 officers from a range of different law enforcement agencies charted with cracking down on and busting the criminal underbelly in the Illawarra.
In recent days, NSW Police has revealed Raptor South has been operation in our area since April.
Raptor South started trial operations, when a group of Illawarra criminals were accused of reviving the violent Brothers 4 Life gang and operating a local chapter from inside jail.
While Raptor South will target organised motorcycle gangs as a point of focus, NSW Police said anyone participating in organised crime and therefore putting at risk community safety will be targeted.
This force will be a dedicated force for the region.
“While we have long enjoyed regular assistance from Strike Force Raptor in targeting members and associates of criminal groups, and their illicit businesses, [a full-time] presence will strengthen our capability to suppress acts of violence and protect the community.” Southern Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Peter Barrie said at the weekend.
NSW Police said it was putting “all criminal groups in NSW on notice”.
Strike Force Raptor has proven a successful model and approach in the fight against there has been suggestions it could be a model adopted nationally.
Certainly, NSW Police has seen the benefit in broadening the fight against organised crime to the Illawarra and the South Coast.
“From the outset, the goal of Strike Force Raptor has been to disrupt and disable the activities of criminal networks, including OMCG, and remove the romanticism of being in a gang – and we’re doing just that,” State Crime Commander acting Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith told Illawarra Mercury at the weekend.
“Since 2009, Strike Force Raptor has made more than 4000 arrests across the state and laid almost 10,000 charges for a variety of offences, ranging from the most serious and violent through to traffic and consorting.”
The law abiding citizens of our region will welcome Raptor South sinking its claws into the Illawarra.