Police boss claims Melbourne crime wave is worst in 40 years

One of Australia's most experienced crime fighters has warned that Victoria is in the grip of the worst crime wave in 40 years. Ron Iddles, a former homicide squad detective and outgoing secretary of the Police Association of Victoria, said a shortage of police officers and "weak" judges have paved the way for the rise in aggressive crime.

"I do not think I've seen it this bad," Iddles, who joined the police force in 1973, told News Limited on Friday.

"We have regular carjackings, we have regular home invasions, assaults are up on our members, it's just a dangerous environment. And then you've got to add the threat of terrorism."