Operation Whiskey Legion launched in Wide Bay

Shopping centres, public community events, beaches, roads and waterways will be targeted by police across the region from now until August 9, following the launch of Operation Whiskey Legion.

Wide Bay Burnett District Officer Superintendent Anne Vogler , Detective A/Chief Superintendent Craig Morrow , and North Coast Region Assistant Commissioner Glenn Morris.

The Wide Bay Burnett district will see a surge in police with the ninth deployment of Operation Whiskey Legion launched on Thursday.

A police statement on the “major multi-level operation” said extra police would be deployed to the Wide Bay Burnett district from August 1-9 to “drive down crime and take strong action against those causing harm in our communities”.

“Operation Whiskey Legion will see specialist police from the Highway Patrol, Crime and Intelligence Command, Dog Squad, Water Police and Crime Prevention join forces with local police to target high-risk crime in the area,” the statement read.

“The extra police resources will enable an increased police presence at hotspot locations including shopping centres, public community events, beaches, roads and waterways.

Detective superintendent Craig Morrow during a Press conference. Picture: Liam Kidston.

“The community can expect to see a large number of traffic interceptions, high visibility patrols and a raft of crime prevention pop-ups at local events to engage with residents about their security.”

Detective A/Chief Superintendent Craig Morrow said Operation Whiskey Legion would focus on enforcement and education.

“We will continue tackling crime from all angles to ensure the community is safe and feels safe,” Supt Morrow said.

“We’ve seen great results in previous deployments to Logan, Ipswich, Gold Coast, Moreton, Mackay, and Brisbane.

“Since April, Operation Whiskey Legion has resulted in more than 2300 adults charged with more than 5390 offences and more than 460 juveniles charged with more than 1350 offences.

“Through the Operation, police have engaged with more than 3715 victims of crime, and referred more than 290 people to support services.

“I look forward to bringing that success to the Wide Bay Burnett district.”

North Coast Region Assistant Commissioner Glenn Morris said the deployment would have a road safety focus.

North Coast Region Assistant Commissioner Glenn Morris. Picture: Zizi Averill

“Road safety is always one of the key priorities for this district, having lost 17 lives on Wide Bay Burnett roads so far this year, and Operation Whiskey Legion will be no different,” Assistant Commissioner Morris said.

“During this deployment, there will be a strong focus on safe driving, both on the roads and beaches, including targeting hooning behaviour.

“We will also put an emphasis on community engagement. We plan to be at school carnivals, local football games and community events, to ensure we’re available to listen to our community.

“You can expect to see a high visibility police presence with plans to saturate the entire district in the coming days.”

Wide Bay Burnett District Officer Superintendent Anne Vogler said the deployment of Operation Whiskey Legion was unique as the Wide Bay Burnett district covered a vast geographical area.

“We are unlike anywhere else the operation has been before, so this operation has been tailor made to suit the specific needs of our district,” Supt Vogler said.

“We’re adopting a ‘reef and beef’ theme – deploying specialist policing units that are specific to our local needs, from the coast to the country, like the Water Police and the Stock Squad.

Wide Bay Burnett District Officer Superintendent Anne Vogler.

“Though police will be saturating Gympie, Maryborough, Hervey Bay and Bundaberg, this isn’t just for the larger regional centres as we will be spending time in the more rural communities too.

“From Gin Gin to Gayndah, Biggenden to Boonooroo, Childers to Cooloola, Mundubbera to Burrum Heads – expect to see police covering a large footprint.”

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.

Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.