- Queensland Police have so far conducted 99,475 extreme high visibility community patrols as part of Operation Victor Unison across the state, with more to come.
- Police in Cairns and the Far North have so far conducted 8,400 extra patrols and arrested more than 500 offenders.
- Operation Victor Unison is a dedicated and ongoing police operation designed to enhance community safety through highly visible officer activities including foot patrols, wanding activities and mobile police vehicle deployments.
An extra 8,400 proactive police patrols and activities have been conducted in Cairns and the Far North region as part of a leading police operation aimed at enhancing community safety.
Operation Victor Unison commenced on 1 March 2023, focusing on preventing, disrupting and investigating youth crime through community engagement and extreme high visibility patrols in intelligence driven hotspot locations.
As part of the operation, officers have undertaken 8,459 proactive patrols across the Far North in addition to regular duties.
Patrols have largely involved a dedicated police presence using marked vehicles, Mobile Police Beats and foot patrols in hot spots such as shopping centres, business, retail and restaurant precincts, service stations and other public places. Across the state, the operation has also resulted in more than 6,700 people being charged with more than 11,200 offences – including 2,300 juveniles being arrested on 4,400 charges. In Cairns and the Far North, 357 adults have been charged with 473 offences while 217 juveniles have been charged with 314 offences.
The boots-on-the-ground style operation is also allowing more opportunities for police and Police Liaison Officers to engage with young people. As part of another strategy to enhance community safety, the Palaszczuk Government's Secondary Vehicle Immobiliser Subsidy Trial continues to grow with a significant number of vehicle owners taking part. Since the 12 month subsidy trial began for eligible residents in Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa on 2 August, 11,326 vouchers have been issued. In Cairns, 5,081 vouchers have been issued to local residents as part of the trial. The Palaszczuk Government is providing a $500 subsidy voucher to eligible vehicle owners as part of a $10 million investment to support the installation of up to 20,000 secondary engine immobilisers.
The scheme will support community safety across the trial areas. Quotes attributed to Police Minister Mark Ryan:
"Police have ramped up extreme high-visibility patrols as part of Operation Victor Unison and they are seeing significantly high levels of community engagement and law enforcement. "Having extra police in areas such as shopping centres, parklands, public and transport areas is not only enhancing public safety but is also preventing and disrupting criminal and anti-social behaviour. "It is also a really good opportunity for business owners and community members to speak with their local police about issues affecting them." "I am also very pleased with the uptake of participants for the vehicle immobiliser trial where vehicle owners are significantly boosting their vehicle's security with the help of the Government's subsidy.
"Engine Immobilisers and Operation Victor Unison are just some of the measures introduced to tackle crime and it's causes and better support victims."
Quotes attributed to Acting Deputy Commissioner, Kev Guteridge:
"The extra patrols as part of Operation Victor Unison are over and above normal calls for service and everyday policing operations in areas where they are needed most. "Our officers are engaging with young people in public spaces, patrolling business and residential areas, conducting bail checks, interacting with the community, undertaking wanding operations and taking enforcement action against those committing offences. "We are also deploying our Mobile Police Beat vehicles in communities across Queensland where officers will temporarily base themselves and engage with community members. "Our crime prevention officers are also highly active in our communities, providing advice to residents and vehicle owners about boosting their security."
