Townsville police are putting property crime offenders on notice by ramping up enforcement efforts to continue detecting, deterring and disrupting crime in the district.
Efforts by local police have seen promising signs in reducing offending and victims, and officers are continuing to conduct concentrated intelligence activities to reduce putting downward pressure on property offending.
Local police including the Townsville Property Crime Squad, District Tactical Crime Squad, General Duties, Dog Squad, Highway Patrol Unit and other specialist units will be supported by a surge effort from specialist units across the state, including Public Safety Response Team (PSRT), and Crime and Intelligence Command.
The QPS' borderless policing posture allows resources to be shared between districts and commands, to conduct targeted, intelligence-driven activities.
These activities will include both covert and overt strategies, and high-visibility patrols in hotspot areas including the Townsville safe night precinct and CBD, shopping centres and public transport hubs.
In the past seven days local police have arrested 61 property crime offenders on 279 charges, including burglary and stolen vehicle offences.
Townsville District Officer Chief Superintendent Graeme Paine said, "our efforts to drive down property crime in Townsville have been successful this year and we are ramping up enforcement action to keep that pressure on".
"We want to continue this downward trend with local police and specialist units combining to do concentrated intelligence driven enforcement to detect, deter and disrupt crime.
"We have made considerable inroads to reduce crime, and I want to assure the community this will continue.
"While our current operational response is focussed and relentless, we will fully utilise any addition personnel from South East Queensland to support our frontline officers, assisting with investigations, proactive, targeted patrols and bail compliance checks.
"We do not want any member of our community being harmed as a result of stolen vehicle activity or property crime offences. Crime impacts everyone in our community, and everyone has the right to be safe and feel safe," Chief Supt Paine said.
Police have released vision of the arrest of a 22-year-old Townsville City woman hiding in a wardrobe on 12 August. She has been charged with six counts of unlawful use of motor vehicle, four counts of stealing and one count of possession of a drug utensil. She is due to re-appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on 12 September.
On 14 August, a 24-year-old Townsville man charged was with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, drive unregistered vehicle, drive uninsured vehicle and drive whilst suspended. He is due to appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on 28 August.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
