Melbourne youth gang members on notice after police warning

Youth gangs in Melbourne can expect their lives to be "incredibly uncomfortable" around the clock, Victoria Police have warned, after a major crackdown in 2025.

Police issued 4300 charges against alleged youth gang members in the capital last year, including almost 400 for possession of weapons such as machetes and guns.

"These gangs may show a blatant disregard for the safety of other Victorians; however, rest assured they will continue to gain a strong appreciation for the tenacity of Victoria Police," Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill said.

READ MORE: Infant critical after car hits woman, pram, on Gold Coast

"If you choose to be involved in one of these gangs and endanger our community, your life will be made incredibly uncomfortable."

As well as proactive weapon seizures, police are reviewing the possibility of serving more unlawful association notices on gang members aged 18 and up, in the hope it will deter teens from engaging with organised crime.

Data from police also showed the speed of investigations into youth gang stabbings.

READ MORE: Trump's top diplomat says technical talks over Greenland have started

There were 48 in Victoria last year, with an average of 17 days before somebody was arrested.

Police are also targeting firearm offences, with 69 youth gang members charged last year.

Both the young users and older suppliers are facing a crackdown, with 70 people connected to youth gangs under firearm prohibition orders.

READ MORE: Former French senator claims he accidentally served lawmaker drink laced with MDMA

Police said one gang, connected to multiple killings, had 18 members subject to FPOs.

The most common charges of the thousands of charges laid against alleged youth gang members in 2025 included stealing cars (831), aggravated burglaries (601), robberies (421), weapon offences (394) and assaults (385).

In all, last year, 476 alleged youth gang members were arrested a combined 1480 times.

And as of New Year's Day this year, police said the number of gang members they were actively monitoring was 608 across 34 groups.

"Every single day, we are arresting and charging youth gang members for serious offending due to this disruptive approach," Hill said.

"When gangs refuse to heed these warnings and still choose to engage in violence and other serious offending, our record speaks for itself.

"Those responsible are rapidly tracked down, removed from the community, and fronted to face justice."

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here