Crime and Panic

Fear and race on the streets of Melbourne.

"They're portraying us right now like we're demons." Young Sudanese man

For more than two years, the media has been reporting that Melbourne is in the grip of a crimewave, overrun by African street gangs responsible for a wave of violence and theft.

"We need to call it for what it is, of course this is African gang violence... people are scared to go out to restaurants of a night-time because they're followed home by these gangs." Peter Dutton, Federal Home Affairs Minister

Images of brawling Sudanese teens and hooded armed robbers have spread terror and stoked a growing anger towards those "of African appearance".

"You get stared at. Imagine someone's looking through you or looking ... someone's eyes are just burning into the side of your head. That's what it feels like." Young Sudanese man

Some residents say they are living in fear, the Sudanese community feels under siege and police are being accused of political correctness and inaction.

"They do all these criminal acts and you see on the news that they get away with it. Why do they get away with it?" Resident

Amongst the claims and counter claims, Four Corners reporter Sophie McNeill has spent weeks on the ground to get to the truth about "African" crime.

"We're seeing headlines and reporting that exacerbates the problem. Reporting on things that we're not necessarily seeing." Senior Victoria Police officer

With unprecedented access to the police and the state's chief Judge, the program separates perception from reality.

"I think it's really important that the public be properly informed about what we're doing. It's their right to be properly informed." Chief Judge

Crime and Panic, reported by Sophie McNeill and presented by Sarah Ferguson.