Published: 5:27PM Sunday August 04, 2013 Source: ONE News
Source: Photos.com
New South Wales police are insisting Sydney is not in the middle of a gang war as they struggle to control gun violence in the city.
So far this year there have been 72 shootings Sydney in which eight people have been killed.
Locals are on edge after warnings the harbour city is facing an explosion in gun violence reminiscent of Los Angeles 30 years ago.
"I'm worried when a day will come where an innocent person is caught in the crossfire," said Australian Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare
Expat New Zealander Abe Hanara is worried too.
He checked crime levels in the suburb of Maroubra in Sydney's south before he moved there.
"There was only one shooting there a few years back so that was a bit of relief," he said.
But with 14 shootings and four deaths across Sydney in July alone, the Hamiltonian doesn't feel so safe any more.
"It's concerning. We are letting our young people find themselves in a situation, whether it be involved in drugs, guns or otherwise..." he said.
Bikie wars over drugs and territory are being blamed, as are Middle Eastern organised crime gangs.
At the heart of the problem is access to guns, particularly hand guns, and officials are taking aim at the Australian government.
The NSW premier is blaming budget cuts to Customs and Federal Police for the increase in firearms on his streets.
"Handguns haven't been manufactured in this country for many years," premier Barry O'Farrell said.
"I have concerns about the Federal Government's failure to ensure that items that come into Australia through the post or shipping containers are properly checked."
Police insist Sydney is not in the grip of a lethal gang war and have been carrying out searches at "targeted premises".
In the latest raid, police searched around 150 people and 80 vehicles and seized drugs and a replica firearm.
Over several similar operations, police have laid more than 600 charges against 320 people and seized 80 firearms.
The Federal Government in March announced a 70-strong anti-gang taskforce.
The taskforce will start work early next year.
- With AAP
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