Far North police have charged 605 people with 1,575 offences since Operation Yankee Forge launched in February.
Operation Yankee Forge targets offenders causing the most harm in our communities, including robbery, unlawful entry and unlawful use of a motor vehicle offences.
Since 27 February, 284 young people have been charged with 984 offences, and 321 adults have been charged with 591 offences.
On 19 July, Smithfield police arrested four teenagers after they were allegedly caught entering homes in Smithfield and Trinity Park around 3am that morning.
Two 18-year-old men, a 17-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy were arrested and charged with a total of 43 offences, including 11 counts of enter dwelling and 25 counts of attempted enter dwelling.
All four are due to re-appear in the Cairns Magistrates and Children's Court at a later date.
On 9 July, officers from the Far North Tactical Crime Squad were conducting patrols when they allegedly observed a silver Holden Commodore being driven with false registration plates.
Further enquiries identified the driver, a 35-year-old Earlville man, was allegedly wanted for numerous driving offences.
It is further alleged that officers attempted to intercept the vehicle on Buchan Street, but it failed to stop and drove off.
Sighted by POLAIR, the vehicle then drove dangerously through White Rock before the successful deployment of a tyre deflation device nearby.
It is alleged the man then exited his vehicle and fled into a White Rock education facility, where he was arrested a short time later.
He was charged with a total of 18 offences including driving motor vehicle without a driver licence, using vehicle for which a number plate attached is granted for another vehicle, drive uninsured vehicle, vehicles used on roads must be registered, evasion offence, wilfully making unnecessary noise or smoke, dangerous operation of a vehicle, trespass, fail to appear and receiving tainted property.
Far North District Officer Chief Superintendent Kevin Fitzgibbon said police are working hard to bring offenders into custody, and before the courts.
"Our officers are incredibly skilled when it comes to coordinating various resources to disrupt and prevent offending, and reduce harm brought to victims," Chief Superintendent Fitzgibbon said.
"These are encouraging results, and we will continue to put pressure on offenders through proactive policing strategies, the use of specialist units, and intelligence-driven operations.
"Our priority is ensuring everyone living in and visiting our community is safe and supported."
Far North total
• Offenders: 602
• Charges: 1575
• Adult offenders: 321
• Adult charges: 591
• Juvenile offenders: 284
• Juvenile charges: 984
Adult offences
• Adult robbery charges: 43
• Adult unlawful entry charges: 385
• Adult unlawful use of motor vehicle charges: 163
Juvenile offences
• Juvenile robbery charges: 48
• Juvenile unlawful entry charges: 587
• Juvenile unlawful use of motor vehicle charges: 349
Operation Yankee Forge is a six-month, district-led, statewide initiative targeting high-harm and high-volume offences, including unlawful use of motor vehicles, unlawful entry and robbery.
The operation will enhance policing activities across Queensland to reduce victim numbers and strengthen community safety.
Police regions, supported by specialist squads, will undertake coordinated disruption activities across the state. Police will target high-harm offenders and work closely with partner agencies to ensure offenders are held accountable. With a strong focus on crime prevention, police will be highly visible as they prevent, disrupt and investigate offending, with particular emphasis on unlawful use, robbery and unlawful entry.
The operation will be locally led and centrally coordinated, leveraging the knowledge and experience of officers who know their communities best.
