BY ARIANA GATTI
A new team, of some 23-strong was announced today to hit the ground running within the Hunter region over the coming weeks.
The Strike Force originally based in Sydney, called 'Strike Force Raptor', are setting up specialised units permanentently within the Newcastle Police precinct in order to combat and dismantle locally-organised crime within the area.
The State Crime Command's Criminal Groups Squad officially launched the new squad initiative yesterday, which now has its own name as an extension of the original force, now referred to as 'Raptor North'.
The force, which has the potential to operate across Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast, will consist of intelligence and analytical investigators, highway patrol and operations support group (OSG) operatives, to meet any specialised activity.
This, however, is not the first taste of crime relief in the Northern NSW area as Raptor North operations have been up and running since the 1st of April.
Since then, arson attacks and broader criminal activity has significantly decreased.
With the rollout of the new strike force, criminal justice systems around the Hunter now have the ability to tap into the National anti-gang squad members, including the taxation department, Austrac and other Commonwealth partners in the pursuit of dismantling gangs and criminal groups.
Northern Regional Commander of Police, Max Mitchell, says the Strike Force introduction is essential in exacting change within Hunter communities.
"Over recent months we have seen a dramatic reduction in serious crime occurring, particularly and thankfully of public place shootings", he says.
"Whilst we have that fire power available, I think this will be a positive step for our communities".
Image sourced: 2NURFM Reporter - Ariana Gatti - Newcastle Police Precinct.
