The first deployment of a major police operation has concluded with 429 people charged on 895 offences after officers saturated hot spot areas across Ipswich and Logan.
Operation Whiskey Legion commenced on April 2 with specialist police from Highway Patrol, Crime and Intelligence Command, Rail Squad, Water Police, Dog Squad and Crime Prevention joining forces with local police to target high-risk crime in the area.
The additional officers provided high police visibility with 485 extra patrols in shopping precincts, at train and transport hubs and other known hotspots across the districts.
In total, 357 adults were arrested on 643 offences and 72 juveniles were arrested on 252 offences in Ipswich and Logan.
The charges include serious offences such as armed robbery, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, burglary and Domestic and Family Violence offences.
In addition to the arrests, police also conducted 1,347 street checks, 993 business walk-throughs and 2,414 Roadside Breath Tests (RBTs).
Operation Whiskey Legion has achieved great results with almost 1,080 victims engaged and 31 of those referred to support services.
Acting Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said Operation Whiskey Legion was established to drive down crime in hotspot locations across Queensland.
“Legion is all about ensuring the community is safe and feels safe,” Acting Commissioner Gollschewski said.
“The first deployment of the operation has seen a significant amount of police activity on the ground in Logan and Ipswich – not only resulting in high-risk offenders being arrested but extensive community engagement across the areas.
“Our specialist police have teamed up with local officers to target those in our community doing the most harm and we have seen substantial results in a short timeframe.
“We have saturated areas like shopping centres and public events, boosting the policing presence and enhancing community safety.
“There has also been a strong focus on keeping victims of crime updated on the progress of investigations – which we know is an important part of the process.”
South Eastern Region Acting Assistant Commissioner Mel Adams said local police had received positive feedback from residents about the operation.
“Logan community members have noticed the extra officers and Police Liaison Officers (PLOs) in our busy areas such as shopping centres on Thursday nights, train stations and at our crime prevention pop-ups and have provided really positive feedback,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Adams said.
“We had a significant number of specialist police deployed to Logan to support our ongoing local efforts in targeting high-risk offenders and we have seen exceptional results.
“Even though this deployment to Logan has concluded, the community can expect to see high visibility policing with Operation Whiskey Unison and other localised operations continuing in our area.”
Operation Whiskey Legion will continue with rolling deployments in areas across Queensland.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
