Crisafulli’s Flying Squad Nabs 288 in Landmark Raids
Crisafulli Government’s new State Flying Squad arrests 288 people during landmark operations
- Specialist police attached to the new Queensland Police State Flying Squad have arrested 288 people in Cairns and on the Gold Coast.
- The Crisafulli Government unveiled the new Squad in January to target the worst juvenile and adult offenders.
- Youth offenders were specifically targeted in the Cairns operation, while both adult and youth offenders were targeted during the Gold Coast operation.
The Crisafulli Government has unveiled the results of a landmark policing operation which saw 288 people arrested during a synchronised crime crackdown across the state.
The State Flying Squad, which was announced by the Crisafulli Government in January, was simultaneously deployed to Cairns and the Gold Coast where specialist officers collectively arrested 288 people, including five serious repeat youth offenders, on more than 690 offences.
The Squad will be the largest rapid response unit in Queensland Police history and is part of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to making Queensland safer by targeting the state’s worst juvenile and adult offenders.
Between February 26 and March 3, the Squad charged 230 people on the Gold Coast with 493 offences, including a range of serious drugs and weapons offences.
From February 28 to March 5, the State Flying Squad arrested 58 youth offenders in Cairns, including five serious repeat offenders, and laid 197 charges.
Combining officers who were attached to operations including Taskforce Guardian and Operation Whiskey Legion, the Squad joins local law enforcement to ensure criminals are held to account through the Making Queensland Safer Laws.
Premier David Crisafulli said the specialist police units had taken a number of serious repeat offenders off the streets.
“After Labor created a youth crime crisis in Queensland, we are fighting back against a generation of untouchables,” Premier Crisafulli said.
“We heard loud and clear from police about needing extra support, and our Government is giving them the resources they need.
“Our focus is creating a state where there are fewer victims, every day that remains our goal, and we won’t rest until there’s fewer victims.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the results were a significant milestone in the fight back against the surging crime across our State.
“Young offenders and serious repeat youth offenders who have been particularly terrorising the Cairns community have been taken off the streets,” Minister Purdie said.
“Queensland Police officers are the best in the business but asking them to fight crime without the proper backup is a disservice to them and to the community.“
“We announced an extra $32.4 million in funding over the next five years to almost triple this specialist team to have nearly 60 full time positions capable of continuing this type of work when and where we need it.“
“Imagine the operational results QPS can achieve when they are at full strength.“
https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/102177