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Victoria Police gets new anti-terror squad

A new Victoria Police Counter Terrorism Command will bring together the state's intelligence, prevention and investigations resources.

Police stand and watch protesters at Melbourne University
Counter terrorism investigations and intelligence will be merged in a new Victoria Police squad. (AAP)

Victoria Police has launched its own Counter Terrorism Command.

The new squad will investigate terrorism offences as well as be involved in intelligence and anti-terror policy development, Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton announced on Wednesday.

Assistant Commissioner Ross Guenther will lead the command, which will bring together resources from existing police squads.

Police won't say how many officers are involved in the new command or put an exact figure on the cost, but say it is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Mr Ashton said the command's introduction wasn't in relation to any specific threat, but rather a result of his appointment as chief commissioner.

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"I've seen the NSW model work quite well, I was quite attracted to that," he said.

"I'll invest in this, make sure Victoria Police invests in this to get it absolutely right."

Mr Guenther said the command, which formally comes together from Wednesday, will address critical areas of intelligence, prevention and investigation with specialist response officers.

Investigators will focus solely on counter-terrorism operations.

"One singular area of my focus will certainly be working with the community on early intervention and the prevention of radicalisation, particularly with young people," he said.


2 min read

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Source: AAP


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