Townsville set to receive dedicated Polair helicopter after weeks of relentless youth crime

The state’s youth crime hotspot will get its own police helicopter following a relentless month of havoc wreaked upon the city by out of control criminals.

The state’s youth crime hotspot will get it’s own police helicopter following a relentless month of havoc wreaked upon the city by out of control criminals.

The Courier-Mail revealed on Wednesday that Townsville police were called out to more than 120 jobs in a matter of hours last week, leaving cops feeling “useless” and “defeated”.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles flew into Townsville late Wednesday afternoon to announce that his first act as Premier would be to take a Queensland Police submission on the need for a Polair helicopter in the capital of the north to cabinet.

Over the past three weeks the city has been under siege with new photos revealing the extent of the damage a number of Queensland Police cars had sustained after they were rammed by out of control young criminals in stolen cars.

Damaged police cars at Kirwan Police Station.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said a temporary chopper would be deployed to Townsville in a matter of weeks.

A permanent chopper would be delivered once funding was secured.

“Not only does it add to the safety of officers, but also the safety of the community,” Ms Carroll said.

Townsville has been under siege by a group of serious juvenile offenders targeting police vehicles, and more recently paramedics.

On Tuesday, a stolen car rammed an ambulance on their way to an urgent job, forcing them to retreat.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll and Premier Steven Miles at the Townsville Local Disaster Co-ordination Centre. Picture: Evan Morgan

The Courier-Mail obtained photos of several damaged police vehicles sat in the back of Kirwan station after nights of relentless rammings.

At least eight juveniles have been arrested on more than 135 charges, including a 13-year-old boy linked to multiple stolen car ram raids at businesses in Townsville.

There were still several juveniles causing chaos through the city on Wednesday who police were trying to track down.

The LNP have campaigned for a dedicated Polair chopper to be based in Townsville since 2016, making it one of their key election commitments.

Townsville Police currently rely on the government-owned QGAir rescue helicopter, which is often busy with medical rescues and is not fit for purpose to track stolen cars.

But the state government has repeatedly backed away from funding a Polair chopper in Townsville, falling back on the heavy and in-demand rescue helicopter.

“There are two government-owned helicopters here in town … They are used by police when police need them and police tell me that is appropriate for their needs,” Police Minister Mark Ryan said in 2021.

In a statement from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Mr Ryan in 2022, it stated that resources for a chopper in Townsville were “better invested in other technologies” given the restricted airspace near the army base.

The QG Air rescue helicopter. Picture: Brendan Radke

Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy said while the airspace was “crowded” he was comfortable the chopper could operate properly.

“The aircraft itself is not the solution, the aircraft is working with our staff on the ground and brings the whole package of tools and resources that local police need to deal with this matter,” Mr Chelepy said.

Mr Miles said the chopper was a fresh approach to combating youth crime.

Damaged police cars at Kirwan Police Station.

“We need to take a fresh look at tackling youth crime and the causes of youth crime. We need to look at fresh tools we need to apply to deal with the hardcore youth offenders.”

Ms Carroll said that 10 additional police cars were being brought to Townsville to boost the fleet, and repairs were being fast-tracked on damaged cars.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers thanked the government for listening to police. It’s understood Mr Miles will meet with the union next week after Mr Leavers’ request for a meeting.

LNP Deputy Opposition leader Jarrod Bleijie said the government was trying to save its own jobs with the “desperate backflip” on its stance.

“For nine years Labor has said ‘no’ to a police helicopter in Townsville,” Mr Bleijie said.

“The LNP has demanded a permanent police helicopter be based in Townsville for at least two elections, and Labor has not only refused the idea, they ridiculed it.”