SPECIALIST police have been deployed to Townsville to reinforce local police efforts to target a cohort of serious repeat offenders linked to a spike in property crime offences in recent days.
Officers from Taskforce Guardian and the Public Safety Response Team (PSRT) are expected to be on the ground in Townsville today, with further officers arriving in coming days with additional police vehicles.
It follows a series of property crime incidents linked to five stolen vehicles between Friday 8 December and Sunday 10 December, including several robberies and the ramming of police vehicles.
An Operations Centre has been established to co-ordinate a strategic response involving officers from the Tactical Crime Squad, Property Crime Unit, Rapid Action Patrol and investigators from the Criminal Investigation Branch and Child Protection and Investigation Unit along with general duties police.
Regional Operations and Youth Crime Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy said these extra assets will support Townsville police in protecting the community.
“Our first priority will always be community safety, these specialist police will be on the ground bolstering the determined efforts of Townsville police in relentlessly pursuing these small group of recidivist offenders and holding them accountable,” he said.
“The dangerous and reprehensible behaviour we have seen will not be tolerated, and I commend Townsville police for their resolute perseverance in seeking justice for victims.
“These extra officers are specially trained and will be an asset in targeting the small group of high-risk offenders committing these offences.”
Over the weekend, Townsville police arrested nine people including eight young people, four people were charged on Saturday, with a further five charged overnight.
A 15-year-old Palm Island boy has been charged with 50 offences, including 11 counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, 10 counts of attempted enter dwelling with intent, eight counts of enter dwelling and commit and one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
A 14-year-old Wulguru boy has been charged with seven offences including dangerous operation of motor vehicle and two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
An 11-year-old Vincent boy has been charged with four counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, two counts of enter premises and one count each of enter dwelling, arson and trespass.
A 14-year-old Railway Estate boy has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation and enter premises and commit.
A 16-year-old Wulguru girl has been charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and receiving tainted property.
All young people have had their bail refused and are expected to appear before Townsville Children’s Court today (Monday).
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