Victoria’s police force is facing a crisis in resource allocation, with dire consequences for public safety. Recently, it has been revealed that the air wing, a critical resource in high-speed car chases and pursuits of young criminals, is now being reserved for “life and death” situations.
As a result, frontline officers are left powerless to pursue high-risk offenders—often teenagers driving stolen vehicles at breakneck speeds—effectively handing these criminals a free pass.
The situation has become increasingly dire, with officers reporting that they are routinely denied air support, even in cases involving dangerous, high-speed chases across the state. On several occasions, gangs of teenagers have evaded police in stolen cars, only to later commit further violent crimes, knowing that the police lack the resources to track them down. The strain on police resources is palpable, with one veteran officer describing the situation as “manic,” while lamenting that criminals are taunting the police, knowing they are unlikely to face serious consequences.
Victoria Police’s air wing is currently so stretched that it is being reserved only for high-impact offences or pursuits that have been ongoing for at least 20 minutes. This leaves officers unable to catch criminals involved in aggravated burglaries, car chases, and robberies—many of which involve teenagers with no regard for their own safety or that of others. The lack of aerial support has already led to tragic consequences, with high-speed crashes resulting in fatalities this year.
While the government claims to have allocated significant funding to the police force, including a record $4.5 billion and 3,600 new recruits, these figures fail to address the immediate shortfall in essential resources like the air wing. The police association has echoed concerns about this depletion of resources, describing aerial support as a “fundamental resolution strategy” that officers rely on to prevent dangerous criminals from escaping.
The increase in youth crime, particularly among those aged 10 to 17, has reached alarming levels. With aggravated burglaries at an all-time high and young offenders committing violent acts with impunity, it is clear that the government’s approach to policing is failing to keep up with the scale of the problem. While legislative changes, such as tougher bail laws, are being touted as a solution, they do little to address the immediate concerns on the ground.
In this context, it’s hard to see how Victoria Police can effectively combat the rise in youth crime when their most crucial tools are unavailable. A failure to adequately resource the police, especially in key areas like aerial support, puts the safety of all Victorians at risk.
