The NSW Police Force’s elite, proactive unit will now have full-time bases in the Hunter and Illawarra regions to target and dismantle organised criminal groups throughout regional NSW, NSW Police say.
As part of the re-engineering process, and in response to operational needs and intelligence, the State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad has officially launched ‘Raptor North’ and ‘Raptor South’ today (Sunday 24 June 2018).
Each region will have a 23-strong team consisting of proactive investigators, Operations Support Group (OSG) operatives, Highway Patrol, and intelligence/analytical staff.
Raptor North is Hunter-based and Raptor South is Illawarra-based; they will expand on the proven results of the Sydney-based Strike Force Raptor under the responsibility of the Criminal Groups Squad.
Officers will also draw on the resources of the National Anti-Gang Squad within NSW, which includes the Australian Taxation Office, Austrac, NSW Crime Commission, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, and other Commonwealth partners.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said regional-based Raptor is another example of providing resources to the country that their city neighbours have long enjoyed.
"On my first day as Commissioner, I promised to deliver a more flexible workforce and ensure police are where they are needed most; Raptor North and South are another part of that commitment," Commissioner Fuller said.
"The re-engineering process allows us to have a more agile, robust and coordinated approach to further drive down crime and instil the community’s confidence in what we do for them.
"Operational opportunities were identified in regional NSW, particularly in the Hunter and Illawarra, and while we have successfully targeted numerous criminal groups using a variety of tactics, there’s more to be done and we are doing it.
"The community can take comfort in the fact that Strike Force Raptor have been fearless and relentless in pursuing criminal groups and will continue in the months and years ahead," Commissioner Fuller said.
Minister for Police Troy Grant said community safety is my number one priority and when illegal bikie gangs set up shop, drug distribution increases, violence between rival gangs ensues and law-abiding citizens are put at risk.
"We know numerous motorcycle gangs including the Finks, Nomads and Bandidos have bases in the Hunter and Illawarra regions, so I’m extremely pleased that police have installed these specialist units to proactively target these groups and hit them where it hurts," Mr Grant said.
"Having identified the operational need and mobilised their resources where they are needed most, police can get on with the job of disrupting and dismantling these criminal groups.
"This is yet another great example of the police re-engineering process in practice.
"I welcome the addition of the North and South Raptor Units and commend police for tackling organised crime groups head-on."
The role and resources of the teams will be reviewed at six months under the direction of the State Crime, Northern, and Southern Region Commanders.
State Crime Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith, said Strike Force Raptor is a proven high-impact approach to targeting criminal groups and having regional bases will simply build on that success.
"Since its inception in 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," Acting Assistant Commissioner Smith said.
"Officers have executed more than 700 search warrants and seized some 1400 firearms, 300 knives/swords, and another 450 dangerous weapons.
"Importantly, we have seized tens of millions in cash, drugs, and other proceeds of crime, which hits these groups where is hurts most – profit.
"The Hunter and Illawarra communities can be confident a full-time presence of Strike Force Raptor in the regions will ensure a rapid response to any organised criminal activity impacting on their safety," Acting Assistant Commissioner Smith said.
Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.
Anyone with information, including relevant photos and videos, that may assist Strike Force Raptor can report it directly to investigators via the Strike Force Raptor online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/Default.aspx?id=49 or call Crime Stoppers.
