- The Crisafulli Government's State Flying Squad – Queensland's largest police rapid response unit – is restoring safety in Far North Queensland.
- More than 800 people, including more than 455 youths, charged with over 2,200 offences.
- The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer with stronger laws, more police, early intervention and rehabilitation after a decade of decline under Labor.
The Crisafulli Government's State Flying Squad – Queensland's largest police rapid response unit – is helping restore safety across Far North Queensland, with hundreds of offenders charged as part of an ongoing regional crime crackdown.
Across Far North Queensland, police have charged more than 800 offenders, including 455 young people, with over 2,200 offences, as part of sustained deployments supporting local police to target property crime, serious repeat offenders and anti-social behaviour.
As part of the Far North surge, the State Flying Squad recently deployed to Kuranda, where police targeted property crime and break and enter offences, charging 10 offenders and finalising 21 casefiles in just days, while providing more than 200 hours of operational support to local police.
Proactive patrols, hotspot policing, and engagement with local businesses have also formed a key part of the Far North operations, helping prevent crime before it occurs.
Since its establishment on 12 January 2025, the Crisafulli Government's State Flying Squad has been deployed on 21 occasions across the Far North District, working alongside local officers to make Queensland safer, after Labor's decade of decline.
The Crisafulli Government is also delivering more police to the frontline to restore safety where you live, with a net increase of 588 officers since the October 2024 election - compared with just 174 under Labor in four years.
Labor's weak laws, fewer police and failure to invest in early intervention created a generation of serious repeat youth offenders and Queensland's Youth Crime Crisis.
The Crisafulli Government is restoring safety where you live with stronger laws, more police, and the biggest investment in rehabilitation and early intervention in Queensland history.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the Crisafulli Government was restoring safety in Far North Queensland to turn the tide on Labor's Youth Crime Crisis.
"The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer with more police and stronger laws, after Labor's decade of decline created a Youth Crime Crisis," Minister Purdie said.
"Our State Flying Squad has now been deployed to the Far North District 21 times since January 12, 2025 – when the Crisafulli Government established this permanent rapid response unit – as we continue to make Queensland safer and give the police the laws and resources they need to do their jobs.
"We're giving police the laws, resources and support they need to do their jobs, while strengthening the frontline with 588 additional officers since the election and driving unplanned attrition down to its lowest level in three years."
Detective Inspector Joe Nixon from the State Flying Squad said the specialist unit was now able to be deployed where they are needed most.
"The Squad boosts frontline resources, providing an investigative surge capacity, partnering with local police to amplify results of operations," Detective Inspector Nixon said.
"In the Far North, our intelligence-lead deployments have assisted local police dealing with all kinds of offences, including investigating offences against a person and property crime.
"Our highly-skilled officers possess a wide range of skills and qualifications allowing us to assist in almost any capacity required."
Member for Barron River Bree James said the results showed the Crisafulli Government was taking a focused, united approach to restoring safety across Cairns and the Far North after Labor's decade of decline.
"These results show what happens when you back police, strengthen laws and get serious about restoring safety," Ms James said.
"Labor spent a decade weakening laws and failing to act, creating a generation of serious repeat youth offenders, and the Far North paid the price.
"The Crisafulli Government is getting on with the job of fixing that mess, and we are already seeing progress through stronger policing, specialist deployments and real support for our frontline officers."
Member for Mulgrave Terry James said Labor's Youth Crime Crisis remained front of mind for Far North residents.
"Communities across the Far North are still dealing with the consequences of Labor's Youth Crime Crisis, which is why I'm proud to be part of a Crisafulli Government delivering real action," Mr James said.
"Initiatives like the State Flying Squad are giving our local police the tools, resources and backup they need to confront serious offending, bring criminals to justice and restore safety where people live."
Member for Cook David Kempton said the State Flying Squad's permanent rapid-response capability was delivering long-overdue support for police and communities across Far North Queensland.
"For more than a year now, Far North communities have finally had the backup they were denied under Labor," Mr Kempton said.
"These sustained deployments are supporting local police to target property crime, serious repeat offenders and anti-social behaviour, alongside more officers on the ground, to improve safety and rebuild community confidence."
