POLICE BLITZ A WINNER

ALMOST 250 people were charged in the first fortnight of a major police crackdown.

Running throughout February, Operation Quebec Ironside is a three- pronged initiative designed to disrupt drug and property crime, increase community engagement and demonstrate a more mobile and collaborative policing operation.

So far 239 people have been arrested, leading to 404 charges being laid.

Drug offences led the way off the back of Crime Stoppers’ “Dob in a Druggie” campaign.

Since the start of the month, 67 people have been charged with 174 drug offences and 43 people have been charged with 79 property crime offences.

Superintendent Steve Munro said police were also targeting “hot spots” with high visibility enforcement.

A number of raids have been carried out, including one where a sawn- off shotgun was found in the home of an alleged drug offender.

“( The operation) has made a significant dent into our key areas of property crime, drug crime and making the community feel safer again,” Supt Munro said.

He said numberplates had been stolen recently and encouraged people to attend a “Turning the Screws” event at St Anthony’s Catholic College carpark on Saturday, where people can get their plates installed with special screws from 8am- 2pm.

Community engagement has been high, with police attending events such as the Riverway Community Markets.

Tomorrow from 6pm, officers from the Townsville District Crime Prevention Unit and Criminal Investigation Branch will hold an armed robbery awareness presentation at Reid Park Pit Complex in Railway Estate. Business owners are encouraged to attend.