A multi-level crime operation has resulted in more than 500 charges and more than 100 victims engaged by officers during a significant 10-day deployment on the Gold Coast.
Operation Whiskey Legion swooped into the district on April 22, with specialist police from Highway Patrol, Crime and Intelligence Command, Rail Squad, Water Police, Dog Squad, Crime Prevention teams linking in with local resources.
Throughout its duration, Operation Whiskey Legion saw heightened police visibility in shopping precincts, train, tram and transport hubs, and other critical hotspots across the district.
A total of 231 people were arrested on 532 charges as a result of the operation including 39 juvenile offenders who were charged with 97 offences.
One of those arrested was a 41-year-old Varsity Lakes man on ten domestic violence-related charges. He appeared at Southport Magistrates Court yesterday, May 1 and was denied bail. He is next due to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on May 17.
Proactive community engagement was a key strategy of this operation, with officers engaging in over 10,436 proactive interactions with the community and 93 business walkthroughs.
The comprehensive approach of Operation Whiskey Legion has also played a vital role in with officers supporting 156 victims of crime – keeping them updated on the progress of investigations.
South Eastern Region Acting Assistant Commissioner Mel Adams highlighted the immediate support in achieving such positive results to-date.
“The QPS conducts intelligence-led analysis and we look at how we can best deploy the Service’s broader resources to augment local districts – that is what we saw with Operation Whiskey Legion on the Gold Coast,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Mel Adams said.
“The extra resources in the district greatly enhanced the exceptional work our local officers consistently deliver on a daily basis.
“With the conclusion of Operation Whiskey Legion, we have observed significant enhancements in our local enforcement capabilities, particularly in previously crime-affected areas.”
“Extra officers and Police Liaison Officers were key in our busy precincts, not only enforcing laws but also engaging proactively with the community.
“The community can expect to see rolling operations across the state to support local frontline police to tackle local crime issues.”
Gold Coast District Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon said Operation Whiskey Legion is achieving the desired outcome.
“Operation Whiskey Legion was designed to bolster community safety and the results to-date indicate we are achieving this on the Gold Coast,” Chief Superintendent Hanlon said.
“By targeting those who pose the greatest threats, we’ve arrested a number of high-risk offenders – removing them from the community and preventing them causing further harm.
“The comprehensive approach has also played a vital role in supporting victims of crime and keeping them updated on the progress of investigations.”
Key statistics:
- The deployment saw heightened police visibility in shopping precincts, train and transport hubs, and other critical hotspots across the district with 231 people charged on 532 offences.
- Police conducted 348 street checks and issued 377 traffic and penalty infringement notices.
- Furthermore, officers carried out 27 searches, executed 27 warrants, and performed a significant number of random breath tests and drug tests, totalling 1,161.
- There were 377 Traffic Infringement Notices issued.
- Proactive community engagement was a hallmark of this operation, with officers engaging in over 10,436 proactive interactions and 93 business walkthroughs.
- Police also issued 236 warnings and conducted 15 bail compliance checks.
