Police are continuing their efforts to target repeat offenders across Townsville.
Enforcement is focused on a combination of highly visible everyday policing with carefully coordinated covert measures to identify those people doing the most harm to the Townsville community, and put them before the courts.
These activities include 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.
Since 9 August, police have arrested 287 offenders – 216 adults and 71 juveniles – on 997 charges, including property crime, traffic and domestic violence offences and bail breaches.
Local police supported by Public Safety Response Team (PSRT) officers have conducted 501 bail checks and located 13 weapons out of 889 wandings as part of the high-visibility patrols.
On 25 August, police charged a 40-year-old Mundingburra man in relation to an armed robbery of a post office on Riverway Drive in Rasmussen on 18 August. He was charged with two counts of stealing and one count each of armed robbery, possess explosives (ammunition) and possess drug utensil. He was remanded in custody and is due to re-appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on 22 October.
A 40-year-old Townsville man was charged with multiple domestic violence offences after he was intercepted on Ross River Road in Aitkenvale on 23 August. He was charged with 11 counts of contravene DFV (domestic family violence) order, four counts of wilful damage, two counts of obstruct police and one count of threatening violence. He was remanded in custody to re-appear in Townsville Magistrates Court today, 26 August.
Police have charged a 50-year-old Heatley man with possession of a knife in a public place during a wanding operation in a hotel on French Street in Pimlico on 23 August. The man is due to appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on 22 September.
A 14-year-old boy was dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act during a wanding operation in the Safe Night Precinct on Flinders Street, Townsville City around 12.25am on 24 August.
Townsville District Detective Inspector Jason Shepherd said, "we are continuing our high visibility patrols as part of our ongoing commitment to community safety".
"We know that taking proactive action makes a real difference, whether it is bail compliance checks, wandings or roadside breath tests. These actions allow local police to engage with the community to detect, prevent and deter offending in Townsville."
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.
