MELBOURNE, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Criminals of Australia's Victoria state who conceal their faces while committing violent offences will face extended prison sentences, it was revealed on Wednesday.
Under law changes currently being discussed by the Victorian state government and Victoria Police, offenders found guilty of home invasions, carjackings or jewellery store robberies would face harsher sentences.
As well as acting as a deterrent, the increased prison time would be a reflection on the amount of resources committed to finding criminals who hide their identity.
Covering one's face at protests will also be made illegal after a number of demonstrations across Melbourne erupted in violence.
Lisa Neville, Victoria's Police Minister, said that facial disguises had become a feature in a spate of jewellery store robberies and home invasions across Melbourne recently.
"There is serious harm done, to victims of crime and the community, when a criminal wears a mask or balaclava when breaking into a home, or committing a robbery of a store," Neville told Australian media on Wednesday.
"The anonymity created when an offender wears a mask, means that some criminals feel emboldened and act more violently than they would otherwise."
She said senior Victoria Police officers had come up with the idea of imposing harsher penalties.
"This would be about people who do really serious offending wearing face masks to try and hide their identity while they are beating up on someone," Neville said.
"Identifying, capturing and charging the offender is more difficult when balaclavas or face masks are worn."
"Therefore, the investigation requires additional police resources and it may take longer to get this criminal off the streets."
"Victims can also be more traumatised when offenders wear masks as it creates an additional layer of fear."
