Officers targeted by crims
JUST hours into a new operation targeting hardcore property offenders, police became the targets themselves.
Stolen cars followed and rammed officers tasked to Operation Uniform Nano multiple times in the early hours of Friday morning causing “significant” damage to the unmarked car.
Police gave the Bulletin an exclusive inside look at the operation after Thursday’s announcement of the property crime crackdown was widely criticised.
Acting district officer Acting Superintendent Brad Inskip said the 10-day operation would consist of about 50 specialised officers pulled from units including Townsville’s Major Organised Crime Squad, Rapid Action Patrol and Tactical
Crime units.
The operation is targeting a list of eight known offenders aged between 16 and 20.
“These short, sharp operations have been successful in the past,” Acting Superintendent Inskip said.
He said no officers were injured in the “protracted” ramming attack, which significantly damaged a vehicle yesterday.
He said about 4.15am on Friday police were responding to a job near Heatley Park when they saw two stolen vehicles being driven erratically.
The stolen cars began to pursue the police, ramming the unmarked car multiple times. One of the vehicles involved was located dumped on Friday but police are still working to track down the offenders.
Responding to questions short-term police opera
tions would have any meaningful and continuing impact, Acting Superintendent Inskip said research showed diverting kids away from court and crime was the most successful approach.
He denied the targeted crackdowns were political responses to negative media reporting on crime.
“We have never shied away from the fact that we are not going to arrest our way out of that,” he said.
“It is proven that solely arresting offenders and putting them before the courts is not going to solve property crime.”
In the operation’s first 24 hours, Acting Superintendent Inskip said police had arrested one 16-year-old and charged him with 23 offences including burglary and seven unlawful use of a motor vehicle offences.
Since January 1 police in the Townsville District have
arrested 43 people and charged them with a combined 192 property offences.
Acting Superintendent Inskip said police understood the community’s frustration.
“Police are frustrated as well,” he said.
“It is about addressing the brazen and repeat offending that is occurring at the moment.
“The community needs to know that police are taking action.”