- 1,500 youth offenders arrested on almost 3,000 charges in first five months of extreme high visibility police operation
- 3,314 adult offenders charged with 5,247 offences in that same time
- 25,800 people stopped and engaged by police while on patrol
More than 1,500 youth offenders have been arrested in the first five months of an extreme high visibility policing operation across Queensland.
Operation Victor Unison commenced on March 1, focusing on preventing, disrupting and investigating youth crime through community engagement and extreme high visibility patrols in intelligence driven hotspot locations.
Targeted youth crime locations include shopping centres, business, retail and restaurant precincts, service stations and other public spaces as well as residential areas.
The boosted patrols are coordinated in addition to day-to-day policing operations and enable officers to walk through shopping precincts, deploy to hot spot areas, conduct bail checks and engage with young people.
In that time there have been 25,810 street checks conducted since the operation began, with 26,600 hours dedicated to proactive activities within this space.
The boots-on-the-ground style operation is also allowing more opportunities for police and PLOs to engage with young people.
Patrols have largely involved a dedicated police presence using marked vehicles, Mobile Police Beat and foot patrols in hot spots such as shopping centres, business, retail and restaurant precincts, service stations and other public places.
Additional support for local officers from resources across the state such as mounted unit and highway patrol section has led to an increase in the detection and disruption of criminal activity.
Quotes attributed to Police Minister Mark Ryan:
"Since the operation commenced on March 1, 4,900 offenders have been charged with 8,236 offences.
"Queensland now has some of the strongest, toughest, most comprehensive youth justice laws in the nation.
"Having extra police out on patrol has a strong deterrence factor and sends a clear message to would-be offenders.
"It is also about enabling business owners and community members to speak with their local police about issues affecting their area.
"The community can expect to see extra police out on the beat in their local communities."
Quotes attributed to Mundingburra MP Les Walker:
"These extreme high visibility patrols are making a real difference in local communities by helping to disrupt and prevent crime, while also supporting community confidence "The government's investment in this 'boots on the ground' approach means people will see even more police out and about in the community even more often."
Quotes attributed to Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler:
"These extra patrols are over and above normal calls for service and everyday policing operations in areas where they are needed most.
"The Queensland Police Service has received very positive feedback from business owners, retail staff and local community members about our high visibility policing.
"It is a testament to the hard-working officers and police liaison officers, that we are able to get on the front foot and de-escalate situations in such a way."
Link to vision of police operation below:
https://r2.mypolice.qld.gov.au/uploads/2023/07/31/033610_operation-victor-unison_1.mp4
