Sydney Gangland Wars: Violence Reaches New Levels

Following the attempted assassination of an underworld figure that left three people in hospital, former NSW police officer Luke Taylor joined The Today Show to discuss the escalating gang violence gripping Sydney.

A Dangerous Escalation

Luke Taylor described the shooting as part of a troubling trend in Sydney’s underworld.

“This is not the Sydney and not the Australia we know,” he said. “It’s reached unprecedented levels. There’s no fear — no fear of repercussions, no fear of law enforcement. Gone are the days of 3 a.m. drive-by shootings. Now it’s happening live in public. A line was crossed long ago.”

Why Police Are Struggling

Asked why police appear unable to stop the violence, Luke pointed to multiple factors.

“These crooks are brazen. They don’t care, they don’t value life, and the money at stake is massive. With gangs fractured and competing for control, it fuels even more violence. Police resources are always an issue — you can’t be everywhere, 24 hours a day.”

The Role of Resources and Strike Forces

Luke noted that police constantly need more resources, but there are limits to how they’re deployed.

“Every time we start a strike force, detectives get pulled from local patrols. That narrows the focus, but it leaves other gaps. It’s a balancing act between targeted investigations and maintaining community safety.”

What It Takes to Break the Cycle

Preventing gang violence, Luke says, requires a mix of manpower and intelligence.

“It takes surveillance, electronic monitoring, and boots on the ground. But you also have to build solid briefs of evidence. You can’t rush into action only to have cases fall apart in court.”

Despite the challenges, he praised the ongoing efforts of police: “They’re batting 20 out of 25 solved cases for these murders. That’s a huge achievement under enormous pressure.”

Conclusion

Sydney’s gangland wars show no signs of slowing, with brazen attacks spilling into public spaces. While police continue to solve cases and dismantle networks, Luke Taylor warns that without greater resources and a united approach, the violence could escalate further.

Watch the full interview above for Luke Taylor’s analysis on Sydney’s gangland crisis and the challenges facing police.