Youth gang violence in Adelaide's northern and western suburbs prompts launch of SA Police taskforce
10/2/22
South Australian police have laid more than 120 charges against "several" people following the launch of a special task force aimed at curbing so-called youth gangs.
Operation Meld was launched last July, after a spate of violent brawls and crimes in Adelaide's northern and western suburbs.
Assistant Police Commissioner Scott Duval said the offending involved teenagers from Adelaide's Sudanese community.
"We've had people stabbed, we've had large fights… where weapons, including knives, have been taken to those fights," he said.
Assistant Commissioner Duval said the predominant violence was between two rival groups, comprising about 20 youths in total, but there had been fights involving up to 50 youths.
"They've also been involved in offences of fraud… and involved in robberies where people were selling goods on social media platforms, and upon being met by members of the group they were being robbed."
Four people are currently in custody due to Operation Meld.
Taskforce 'not about ethnicity'
Assistant Commissioner Duval stressed that the gangs made up a "very small" number of people from Adelaide's Sudanese community.
"This is not about ethnicity. This operation was formed to deal with the serious criminality involved in the group," he said.
"This is serious offending, and it's serious offending being committed by children."
Police believe the groups comprise of about 20 youths aged between 16 and 18, with only three adult members.
Assistant Commissioner Duval also said police had a great relationship with Adelaide's South Sudanese community, who shared their concerns.
"We've worked very hard with the community, and they have been excellent coming on board and helping the police," he said.
"We have had community forums, we've had regular meetings with families and very much families are very concerned about the offences that are being committed by family members."
He said police were optimistic the youths could be rehabilitated, with the help of the community.
Youth gang violence in Adelaide'''s northern and western suburbs prompts launch of SA Police taskforce - ABC News
2- Teenager, 17, accused of 'gang murder' refused to get out of BED for court - with prison guards revealing he was allowed to sleep after he 'pulled the quilt over his head and rolled over'
26/4/22
- A teenager was charged with murder after a fatal brawl in Adelaide's CBD
- The 17-year-old Victorian boy was due to face court on Tuesday but refused to go
- Instead, he decided to stay inside his jail cell and go to sleep, staff told the court
The 17-year-old Victorian boy was charged with murder after allegedly stabbing a 25-year-old to death in North Terrace, in Adelaide's CBD, during the early hours of Anzac Day.
The teen was one of four males who were arrested at Adelaide airport following the fatal brawl while allegedly trying to flee back to Victoria.
'Sudanese gang murder': Teenager accused of fatally stabbing in Adelaide refuses to go to court | Daily Mail Online
3- Police hunt gang members after Adelaide bar brawl leaves six hurt
8:40pm Mar 13, 2022
One man had his life saved at the scene.Paramedics were worked on the 24-year old man who had been stabbed multiple times.
In footage, people can be seen fleeing the bar moments before police patrols arrived
South Australia Police Chief Inspector Matt Nairn called what happened "very concerning".
"We can identify the people involved are people of African descent, this is an African type of nightclub, involved in the incident," he said.
Two men, aged 18 and 22, have been arrested.
The investigation involves officers from Police Taskforce Meld, which was set up to combat youth crime in Adelaide.
Nairobi Lounge operators told 9News they believed trouble makers had come from outside and targeted a private event being held at the venue.Chanel Zagon
Sarhttps://www.9news.com.au/national/six-people-hospitalised-after-large-fight-erupts-at-adelaide-bar/114b7242-21bc-4d2a-9603-ae7d2bfd8468ah Swain
Casual racism? At least we are not in Denial.