Police pursue violent fugitives

VICTORIA Police has warned family violence perpetrators that “closed doors will not protect you from being targeted and held to account”.

Operation Enforceable will see specialist units work together to target and apprehend perpetrators known to actively avoid police detection or who have outstanding warrants or unserved family violence intervention orders, to ensure the safety of victim-survivors.

Of the perpetrators, more than 1100 have outstanding warrants, more than 750 can’t be located and more than 640 have an unserved family violence IVO.

More than 500 have other outstanding enforceable actions, such as bail compliance, DNA orders and fingerprint identification files.

Most of the perpetrators have been actively avoiding police detection and are the subject of multiple outstanding warrants.

The Guardian has asked how many family violence perpetrators are wanted in the Gannawarra and Swan Hill local government areas.

Acting Superintendent Holly Dalrymple, of family violence command, said: “We’re targeting people wanted for family violence crimes across the state and holding them to account through this operation to ensure the safety of victim-survivors.

“We will be knocking on the doors of these people and will not tolerate their violent crimes in any form.

“The message to family violence perpetrators is clear: closed doors will not protect you from being targeted and held to account – and this operation shows just how serious we are.

“We also want victim-survivors to know they can trust police to take action to make sure this violence stops.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing or at risk of experiencing family violence, seek help from police or a support service.

Support is available 24 hours a day through Safe Steps by calling 1800 015 188 or emailing safesteps@safesteps.org.au

In an emergency, call triple zero.