A police force will turn to ex-officers and admin staff as the state's chief concedes more frontline staff are needed to combat crime.

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Unveiling an overhaul of Victoria Police, Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said there was a "major crime problem in Victoria" and far too many victims.

"No one should live in fear of people breaking into their homes overnight, stealing cars, carjackings, violence in the street, violence at retail outlets, knife crime," he told reporters on Monday.

Two groups armed with machetes clashed a shopping centre at Broadmea

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