A lack of resources is being blamed for an almost threefold increase in cars being used as weapons to ram police.

There were 103 cases where police vehicles were driven at in the 2015/2016 financial year, up from 36 the year before.

Officers injured in rammings rose from four to 14 in the same period.

These figures do not include the six cases in the past week, including the incident on Friday when a police officer shot and killed Guelah Ahokava, 20, who allegedly drove at him with a stolen car during a chase in Tullamarine.

So far this week there has been a ramming every day.

Police Association secretary Ron Iddles said inadequate police numbers to provide backup were behind the "disturbing" trend.

"Police accept that their job is a dangerous one, but they should not have to accept unnecessary risks," he said.

"Many situations are made more dangerous when police are forced to take shortcuts, when they are stretched to the limit."

He said if an officer wasn't injured in the ramming or the offender was a minor, the penalties weren't significant.

"We should not have to wait until a police officer is seriously injured before more significant penalties apply to deter others from copy-cat behaviour, he said.

Last week Mr Iddles said offenders who drove straight at police should be charged with attempted murder.

On Monday, Sevdet Ramadan Besim, 19, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for planning a terrorist act.

Besim's Anzac Day attack was to have included crashing into a police officer with a car before beheading him.

Victorian Police Minister Lisa Neville told 3AW the case was a reminder that police were at a "higher risk than they have ever been".

She said the "two-up" policy, where officers went on patrols in pairs, was the correct approach but that new ways were needed to ensure there was the right police presence on Victoria's streets.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Andrew Crisp did not respond to Fairfax Media's questions regarding increased resources or penalties.

"This criminal and dangerous behaviour shows no regard for authority and the consequences of this behaviour can be disastrous," he said.

"Our members are working hard to ensure these offenders are caught and put before the courts.

"These members are putting themselves at risk every day to keep the community as safe as possible."

Deputy Commissioner Crisp did not reveal any plans to combat the issue.