Probably semantics.
From VicPols point of view they seem to be suggesting that they are not an organised criminal gang with a hierarchy.
They are considered a "networked offending group".
Recidivists who probably meet up with like minded people in youth detention.
Lots of background info at the Parliamentary inquiry into migrant settlement outcomes.
Quote Vic police spokesman on rising "gang" offences.
… what we have now seen are significant high-end recidivists, both Australian and non-Australian, who commit serious crimes and continue to commit a range of serious crimes—by that I mean carjackings, armed robberies and home invasions.
They are part of what we call a networked offending group, who loosely connect and then connect via social media and a range of other options. They then continue to commit that crime until we apprehend them. It includes jewellery store armed robberies.....
