Police numbers boosted to combat Townsville flood looters
Hundreds of extra police are being deployed to combat the looting of flood-ravaged homes in Townsville.
Crime & Justice
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POLICE have deployed an extra 260 officers to boost patrols and deter looters from raiding flood-ravaged homes in Townsville.
Police Commissioner Ian Stewart told of his shock as he surveyed the devastation in the far north Queensland city today.
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“To be hit by looters, that is just unforgivable,’’ Mr Stewart said, speaking in the suburb of Idalia Estate.
“It is fact of life that there those in our society who prey on the weak, who prey on the vulnerable, whether that is caused by infirmity or natural disaster.
“It is a tragedy on so many difficult levels.
“These people are damaging their own community, it is absolutely disgraceful.
“We will do everything to bring them to justice and hopefully the courts will be very severe on those who prey on the vulnerable.”
About 300 homes are uninhabitable and thousands more impacted by the one-in-500-year deluge and flood disaster.
It was revealed today that the damage bill for Queensland’s summer of disasters is expected to top $1.5 billion.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she understood the community was concerned but Mr Stewart had assured her the police were doing everything they could.
“We have put in place the toughest reportable offending laws in the country,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“We have given the Queensland Police Service extra money... for any monitoring that they wish to do.
“I want the community to be safe. I want people to feel safe but I am also assured by the Commissioner that he is doing everything within his powers.
“If there is any breach or any concerning behaviour, the Commissioner will be able to take action before the courts.”
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