Strike Force Raptor bolstered to target organised crime

The NSW Government and NSW Police Force will crackdown on the scourge of organised criminal networks with the re-envisioning of Strike Force Raptor.

Strike Force Raptor was launched in 2009 to target the illegal activities of Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs and other criminal groups by conducting high-impact proactive policing operations targeting gang members and their associates.

The successful Strike Force Raptor will now become the Raptor Squad, with the immediate addition of 10 positions and a further 20 in July, bringing it to 115 officers including a superintendent, through close collaboration and intelligence sharing with Commonwealth agencies.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the increased boots on the ground and renewed tactics will mean that all criminal groups and networks will be targeted with similar strength as terrorists.

“Anyone who thinks they can participate in organised crime in this State will now be treated as what they are, urban terrorists and therefore we will be looking at expanding the response to extend beyond our borders and strangle their every move inside and outside the State,” Mr Elliott said.

“The NSW Police Force will not tolerate this type of criminal activity. Neither will the community. That’s why the NSW Government is delivering an additional 1500 officers over four years ”“ these extra resources will strengthen the Raptor Squad.”

“We have seen first-hand the recklessness of people who think it is okay to shoot into other people’s homes, cars or businesses, these incidents show a blatant disregard for community safety. Criminals who think they can flout the law should consider themselves put on notice – the Raptor Squad is watching.”

Under this new and significantly expanded model, Strike Force Raptor will continue to use our full arsenal of capabilities and take every opportunity to bring criminal gangs to justice.

Commissioner of Police, Michael Fuller, says that the success of Strike Force Raptor is due to its proactive targeting approach and its ability to evolve according to the criminal environment.

“The Raptor Squad is the next stage of that evolution.”

“It is a significant expansion of resources directly allocated to targeting these gangs and criminal networks,” he said.

Since its inception Strike Force Raptor has arrested more than 6,000 criminals, laid more than 15,000 charges and seized more than 2,000 firearms.

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