AN EXTRA 8,400 proactive police patrols and activities have been conducted in Cairns and the Far North as police seek to enhance community safety.
Operation Victor Unison commenced on 1 March 2023, focusing on preventing, disrupting and investigating youth crime through community engagement and extreme high visibility patrols in intelligence-driven hotspot locations.
As part of the operation, officers have undertaken 8,459 proactive patrols across the Far North in addition to regular duties.
Patrols have largely involved a dedicated police presence using marked vehicles, Mobile Police Beats and foot patrols in hot spots such as shopping centres, business, retail and restaurant precincts, service stations and other public places.
Across the state, the operation has also resulted in more than 6,700 people being charged with more than 11,200 offences – including 2,300 juveniles being arrested on 4,400 charges.
In Cairns and the Far North, 357 adults have been charged with 473 offences while 217 juveniles have been charged with 314 offences.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Kev Guteridge said the extra patrols are over and above normal calls for service and everyday policing operations.
“Our officers are engaging with young people in public spaces, patrolling business and residential areas, conducting bail checks, interacting with the community, undertaking wanding operations and taking enforcement action against those committing offences,” he said.
“We are also deploying our mobile police beat vehicles in communities across Queensland where officers will temporarily base themselves and engage with community members.
“Our crime prevention officers are also highly active in our communities, providing advice to residents and vehicle owners about boosting their security.”
The boots-on-the-ground style operation is also allowing more opportunities for police and Police Liaison Officers to engage with young people.
As part of another strategy to enhance community safety, the Queensland Government’s Secondary Vehicle Immobiliser Subsidy Trial continues to grow with a significant number of vehicle owners taking part.
Police Minister Mark Ryan said he was pleased with the uptake in participants for the trial.
“Engine Immobilisers and Operation Victor Unison are just some of the measures introduced to tackle crime and it’s causes and better support victims,” he said.
Since the 12-month subsidy trial began for eligible residents in Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa on 2 August, 11,326 vouchers have been issued.
In Cairns, 5,081 vouchers have been issued to local residents as part of the trial.
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