Taskforce Saturate has hit a major milestone, with officers now having arrested and charged 5,000 people since it began in 2018.
Acting Commander Andrew Keane said the milestone reflects eight years of sustained, intelligence led policing focused on targeting high harm and repeat offenders across the Southern District.
"Taskforce Saturate began as a three-month initiative, with officers seconded from various areas to deliver fast, focused results," Acting Commander Keane said.
"The operation proved so effective it was extended, and it has remained an ongoing part of our frontline crime reduction strategy ever since."
The taskforce was established to:
• reduce total offences
• target recidivist offenders
• target high volume crime offenders
• target habitual bail offenders
• target hot spot areas
"Taskforce Saturate is led by a permanent sergeant, supported by four to five constables on rotating secondments," Acting Commander Keane said.
"Over the past eight years, 152 police officers from across the Southern District have completed secondments to Taskforce Saturate, gaining operational experience in fast paced, targeted policing while contributing to intelligence led crime reduction."
"Beyond its core focus on recidivist offenders, Taskforce Saturate also provides critical support to uniform, criminal investigation, and drug and firearms services, and regularly contributes to statewide operations and major event responses."
"In eight years of operation, Taskforce Saturate has arrested and charged 5,016 people for 15,039 offences," Acting Commander Keane said.
"This does not include matters arising from work supporting other policing areas, with a further 480 people charged with 2539 offences through joint or assisted activity."
"Offenders charged by Saturate include those responsible for serious and minor crime, drug and firearms offences, traffic matters, family violence, failure to appear, and breaches of bail."
"These results speak to the breadth of harm the taskforce helps to prevent every day."
