By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
THE City of Casey has been ranked second in Victoria for firearms charges, according to the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA).
News website The New Daily on Tuesday published statistics which indicate the top five areas in Victoria where people have been charged with firearms offences, in the 12 months to the end of June 2015.
Residents of the City of Hume topped the list with 231 charges laid by Victoria Police, Casey came in second with 226 charges, and Brimbank was third with 225.
Greater Dandenong came in at fourth with 152, while Greater Geelong recorded 141 charges.
The article comes just days after Victoria Police confirmed it is setting up a new firearms unit after a spate of shootings throughout the state in recent weeks, including some in Casey.
The pro-active illicit firearms investigations team, announced last Thursday, will be based within the Purana Task Force and focus on preventing shootings and disrupting the supply of guns.
Last month, a Lynbrook man narrowly avoided being shot in his car by an unknown assailant after the bullet missed him by mere millimetres.
The 29-year-old victim had parked in Macleod Way in Lynbrook and was checking his phone when another person, unknown to him, pulled up alongside the victim in another car and pointed a gun at him about 2.30am on Friday 16 October.
In a panic, the victim drove off but the attacker allegedly fired several bullets towards the car as it sped away.
One of the bullets was shot inside the car and narrowly missed the victim.
Less than a week earlier a man had been shot in Narre Warren in an incident being investigated by the Echo taskforce, established to probe bikie gangs.
A police spokesperson said there was no evidence to suggest the two Casey shootings were linked.
Star News has sought further information on the statistics from the CSA and Victoria Police.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
