Extra police fly in after violent unrest

A POLICE liaison officer and his family have been flown out of Aurukun for safety after two days of unrest involving molotov cocktails.

Extra police have been flown into the Cape York community and an investigation has been launched into disturbances which took place during February 17-18. A police spokesman said six extra officers had been flown from Cairns as part of the response to the fighting and there had been no incidents since. “(It) occurred between a number of Aurukun families where a small number of Molotov cocktails are alleged to have been thrown in the community, however none were thrown at structures or houses,” he said.

“An Aurukun police liaison officer (PLO) and his family were removed from the community for safety reasons and to permit an investigation to commence into the matters.”

The Cairns Post understands the PLO and his family were being housed in Cairns.

The police spokesman said it was expected they would return to Aurukun in the “near future”.

No charges have been laid over the incident yet.

“The efforts of the officer in charge and local police, senior mediators, and community leaders have been praised for assisting in restoring calm to the Aurukun community,” he said.

Aurukun mayor Dereck Walpo said the community was now quiet.

“Everything is being looked at,” he said.

“It’s all being investigated and we’re awaiting the outcome. “It’s all back to normal.” It is understood that the unrelated funeral for a respected community elder on February 20 assisted in easing tensions.

Additional police had been stationed in Aurukun in a fly in/fly out capacity since November 2015 due to unrest after a man was run over and killed.

The Queensland Police Service has increased the permanent number of officers stationed in the 1200-strong community from 10 to 18 and the station operates 24 hours.