Dog squad and police chopper sent to hunt alleged rock thrower
A hunt involving the Cairns police helicopter has scoured bushland on the Tablelands in the search for a person who allegedly pelted a police car with rocks. How the search ended.
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A hunt involving the Cairns police helicopter has scoured bushland near Kuranda in the search for a person who allegedly pelted a police car with rocks.
Just before 1pm on Thursday afternoon a marked police car was checking the speed of passing vehicles on the Kennedy Highway at the corner Douglas Track at the time of the incident.
Initial police information indicates an unknown offender has thrown rocks at a police speed camera vehicle and fled on foot into surrounding bushland.
No officer was injured, however the vehicle was damaged.
In response to the attack the Cairns police helicopter flew to the area and was assisted by the Dog Squad in patrols of the area.
However efforts to locate and apprehend the alleged offender were unsuccessful.
The cost of operating Queensland Police Service helicopters can cost up to $4000 an hour, however this figure does not include crew expenses.
In response to a recent surge in Far North criminal activity, including the arrest of three teens in an alleged stolen car on Thursday morning, Minister for Police and Emergency Services Minister Dan Purdie issued a statement.
“It is concerning that these offenders have allegedly committed a number of offences across Cairns,” he said.
“We are sending a strong message, we have given the courts tougher laws to hold these young offenders to account and we will continue to do so and we will continue to give our police the resources they need to do their job.
READ MORE: CRIMS AND BOOZE HOUNDS BRING BIG PROBLEMS TO LITTLE KURANDA
“The people of North Queensland and the whole of Queensland were demanding tougher laws and we committed to that and we continue to give our police the laws to make sure they can do everything in their power to stop crime.
“This is about consequences for actions, we want to ensure these young offenders get a clear message that the gig is up, they can no longer commit crime and terrorise communities like Cairns with impunity.”
Following a recent spike in property offences, concerns have also been raised about the impact of youth crime on the once safe and vibrant tourism village of Kuranda.
Investigations are continuing into the rock throwing incident and anyone with information is urged to contact police.
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Originally published as Dog squad and police chopper sent to hunt alleged rock thrower
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