Cops target top 50 crims

POLICE have identified the Glitter Strip’s 50 most dangerous criminals and put them on notice to watch their backs.

Gold Coast Rapid Action Patrol last week conducted the first of several stings where they knocked on the doors of the city’s most dangerous bikies, domestic violence perpetrators and property thieves.

RAP officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Mat Kelly said the blitz was designed to stop the city’s worst criminals from continuing to break the law.

“We have intelligence from probation and parole about the top 50 high-risk offenders on the Gold Coast,” Sen-Sgt Kelly said.

“We visited those under correctional restraint to make sure they were abiding by their probation, parole and court orders.

“This included those that were linked with outlaw motorcycle gangs, high-risk property offenders, high-risk domestic violence offenders and other serious violent offenders.”

RAP’s three-day operation, designed to catch the most dangerous criminals out on probation and parole by surprise, targeted 44 suburban properties believed to be home to high-risk offenders.

Many of those who received unexpected visits from police were people who had been forced to wear ankle-bracelet GPS trackers by authorities.

Sen-Sgt Kelly said 12 officers were involved in the operation and three criminals were found to be in breach of their curfew conditions.

One person tested was allegedly high on drugs and will appear in court over an alleged breach of a court order. The officers conducted 15 alcohol tests. All were negative.

“The idea of the operation is that the offenders are aware police could arrive at any random time to ensure they’re complying with their conditions,” Sen-Sgt Kelly said.

“If they aren’t doing the right thing or residing where they should be they’ll be reported and may be returned to the prison system. It is also designed to target offending and we find it an effective strategy in reducing (crime) from those high-risk offenders.”

The Gold Coast’s top 50 most dangerous criminals will be targeted by police again in the new year.