Specialist police have been called in to Townsville to help with efforts targeting serious repeat offenders, linked to a spike in property crime offences in recent days.
Officers from Taskforce Guardian and the Public Safety Response Team (PSRT) arrived in Townsville yesterday, with further officers arriving in coming days with additional police vehicles.
Dependant on weather conditions, extra aerial assets may also be deployed.
It follows a series of property crime incidents linked to five stolen vehicles between Friday December 8 and Sunday December 10, including several robberies and the ramming of police vehicles.
An Operations Centre has been established to co-ordinate a strategic response involving officers from the Tactical Crime Squad, Property Crime Unit, Rapid Action Patrol and investigators from the Criminal Investigation Branch and Child Protection and Investigation Unit along with general duties police.
Over the weekend, Townsville police arrested 9 people including 8 young people.
Four people were charged on Saturday, with a further five charged overnight.
A 15-year-old Palm Island boy has been charged with 50 offences, including 11 counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, 10 counts of attempted enter dwelling with intent, 8 counts of enter dwelling and commit and one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
A 14-year-old Wulguru boy has been charged with 7 offences including dangerous operation of motor vehicle and two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
An 11-year-old Vincent boy has been charged with four counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, two counts of enter premises and one count each of enter dwelling, arson and trespass.
A 14-year-old Railway Estate boy has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation and enter premises and commit.
A 16-year-old Wulguru girl has been charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and receiving tainted property.
All young people have had their bail refused and are expected to appear before Townsville Children’s Court today.
Regional Operations and Youth Crime Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy says these extra assets will support Townsville police in protecting the community.
“Our first priority will always be community safety, these specialist police will be on the ground bolstering the determined efforts of Townsville police in relentlessly pursuing these small group of recidivist offenders and holding them accountable.
“The dangerous and reprehensible behaviour we have seen will not be tolerated, and I commend Townsville police for their resolute perseverance in seeking justice for victims.
“These extra officers are specially trained and will be an asset in targeting the small group of high-risk offenders committing these offences.”
Chief Superintendent Chris Hodgman says Townsville welcomes the extra boots on the ground as investigations into the incidents continue.
“We will use all assets available to us to locate these offenders and keep our community safe.
“The targeting of police vehicles unfortunately occurs across jurisdictions and while police are trained in handling volatile situations, we know the impact it can have.
“We’ll be enhancing efforts around staff welfare and ensuring a number of support options are available to our officers.”
