7NEWSwill air a five-part special investigation this week examining Melbourne’s surge in violent crime, as pressure intensifies on Victoria’s justice system and frontline police.
The nightly series, fronted by veteran correspondent and 7NEWS anchor Mike Amor, will explore home invasions, youth offending, policing challenges, and calls for bail and sentencing reform, aiming to offer clarity rather than panic.
“Nothing is more concerning than reporting on a new story every night about the rise in crime right here in Melbourne,” Amor said.
A clinical look at a community on edge
The package arrives amid heightened public concern and ongoing debate about whether current justice settings are fit for purpose.
Seven says its reporting intends not to inflame, but to unpack the drivers behind crime and the impact on residents, police and policy-makers.
Chris Salter, 7NEWS Melbourne news director, said the goal is accountability and reassurance, not alarm.
“As a news service, it’s essential for 7NEWS Melbourne to ask the tough questions and get real answers. The surge in crime across the city is unprecedented, and our community deserves reassurance.”
On the ground, not at arm’s length
Across five consecutive nights, Amor and the 7NEWS team will embed with Victoria Police on overnight patrols, offering audiences a direct view of officers’ work on the frontline and the complex decisions faced in real time.
The series will also include:
• First-hand accounts from residents and victims.
• Discussions with authorities and policymakers.
• An interview with Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush.
The opener features patrol ride-alongs, showing how police are responding to emerging behaviour patterns and late-night incidents.
Spotlight on causes, not fear
Unlike traditional “crime wave” formats, the series promises to examine the social and systemic challenges behind the numbers, exploring what’s driving offenders and what reforms are being considered.
The network says the guiding question isn’t simply what’s happening, but how Melbourne can move forward.
The series airs from Monday at 6.00pm on Seven and 7plus.