Right: Victorian Police Commissioner Graham Ashton with South Sudanese and other African community leaders: Ashton has warned that sections of the news media are making the situation with African youths and so-called gangs worse by sensationalising.
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Background information
When 'African' gangs are referred to in Victoria, the reference is usually to groups composed of Sudanese or South Sudanese humanitarian immigrants or their Australia-born children. The issue of crime among the Sudanese community in Australia has become particularly vexed in Victoria, the Australian state with the largest Sudanese population.
The South Sudanese community in Victoria are a refugee community fleeing from the civil war in their homeland, their community of about 20,000 arrived mostly between 2003-2006. The community has faced difficulties in adjusting to Australia, including facing casual racism and the difficulties faced in adjusting to a new society and culture.
The community faces challenges, with an over-representation in the crime statistics. The Sudanese community is about 0.14% of the population and responsible for about 1.% of the total crime. Despite this over-representation, it is far more likely that crime will be perpetrated by an Australian or New Zealander. This situation also seems to be localised around Melbourne and has not infiltrated regional Sudanese communities. The statistics are listing alleged offences, but not those charged with a crime. Part of the over representation is connected to the deliberate targeting and racial profiling of Sudanese Australians under the assumption that they are part of the gang.
Timeline of supposed gang violence and crime
January 2015
The "Apex gang", thought to be an unstructured group of various backgrounds, largely from southern Melbourne, comes to the attention of Victoria Police after a fight with a rival group. Members are allegedly linked to string of carjackings, assaults and burglaries.
November 2015
Victoria Police launch Taskforce Tense to monitor the group.
March 12, 2016
Moomba violence
Police use capsicum spray to dispel men and boys, allegedly affiliated to Apex, who rampaged through Melbourne CBD during the Moomba festival.
March 11, 2017
Second Moomba affair
Police arrest 53 people after Moomba festival disrupted by brawling youths for a second year, but police say offenders are from across Melbourne and not gang or race related.
April 12, 2017
Police calm Apex fears
Victoria Police deputy commissioner Shane Patton declares Apex gang is no longer active, and was never a predominantly ethnic group.
May-December, 2017
Damage to Ecoville Community Park in Tarneit
Youths of African appearance occupied and vandalised a new estate's community centre and park over several months. Local homes were also vandalised and families intimidated.
The gang tags 'Menace to Society' and 'Apex' are used.
December 13, 2017
McDonald's brawl
A brawl at St Kilda McDonald's reportedly involves about 60 youths of African appearance, includes alleged assaults and robberies.
December 14, 2017
A large group of youths allegedly bashed and robbed beachgoers in a wild brawl on the St Kilda foreshore in the early hours of the morning
December 20, 2017
Airbnb incident
A Melbourne Airbnb property in Werribee is trashed by youths of African appearance, who tag the name 'Menace to Society'.
December 26, 2017
Alleged assault on police
A police officer is allegedly assaulted by a gang of youths of African appearance at Highpoint Shopping Centre in Maribyrnong. A 17-year-old is charged.
December 28, 2017
Police reject 'gang' references
Amid mounting media pressure, Victoria Police superintendent Therese Fitzgerald says there is a problem with 'youth crime in general', not gangs. Deputy commissioner Andrew Crisp urges media not to 'play up to the ego' of offenders by calling them gangs.
December 29, 2017
Warning from Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews
The Premier said those involved in attacking police, rioting on the streets and wrecking the park had 'a wanton disregard for the safety of others.' He further said, 'What's completely unacceptable is people behaving in a riotous manner. Be in no doubt, if you're involved in those behaviours, you will feel the full force of the law.
Whilst I know it is tempting to try and excuse some of this behaviour, it's not excuses we need, it's arrests that we need.'
January 1, 2018
Prime Minister attacks Labor
Malcolm Turnbull blames the Victorian Labor government for the 'gang problem' in Melbourne.
January 3, 2018
Dutton refers to community fear
Home affairs minister Peter Dutton says people are too scared to go to restaurants in Melbourne because of 'African gang violence'.