State Flying Squad deployment nets 65 in five-day youth crime blitz in Cairns

Officers from the State Flying Squad alongside officers from the Far North District have charged 65 people with 249 offences during a five-day deployment to Cairns.

Officers from the State Flying Squad alongside officers from the Far North District have charged 65 people with 249 offences during a five-day deployment to Cairns.

Between January 20 and 24, the State Flying Squad joined Cairns General Duties police, alongside officers from Cairns and Tablelands crime squads to conduct strategic activities to disrupt, prevent, and investigate offending in the region.

Premier David Crisafulli said they were throwing the kitchen sink at the youth crime issue.

“We said we would throw the kitchen sink at this issue and that is exactly what we are doing,” he said.

“There are going to be more changes to the law, there is going to be more boots on the ground, one way or another we are going to get on top of the youth crime issue.”

Detective Inspector Jason Chetham said of the 65 people charged over the blitz 51 were under 18.

Detective Inspector Jason Chetham at the Cairns Police station. Picture: Brendan Radke

“It’s been a collaboration between the State Flying Squad and local resources here,” he said.

“It’s been a large effort, but the results underline our commitment to keeping the community safe here in Cairns.

“We responded to fresh offences in the community in the course of the week as well as took the opportunity, with extra resources, to wrap up some ongoing investigations we had on the books here.”

Inspector Chetham said one of the matters investigated was an alleged armed robbery of a 15-year-old by a number of other boys.

Officers from the State Flying Squad alongside officers from the Far North District have charged 65 people with 249 offences during a five-day deployment to Cairns. Image: QPS

“While armed with a hammer and pliers they threatened him and subsequently stole his bicycle,” he alleged.

It will be alleged four boys approached a 15-year-old boy at the intersection of Anderson and Pease Street on January 23, before punching the boy multiple times, threatening him before stealing his bike.

A 16-year-old Manunda boy was charged with three counts of armed robbery with violence, two counts of deprivation of liberty and one count of common assault.

A 15-year-old Manunda boy was charged with three counts of armed robbery with violence, two counts of deprivation of liberty, and one count of common assault.

A 15-year-old Westcourt boy was charged with six counts of armed robbery with violence, three counts of attempted armed robbery, two counts of deprivation of liberty, and one count each of common assault and stealing.

All three boys were refused bail and are due to appear in the Cairns Childrens Court today, January 24.

An 11-year-old Manunda boy was charged with one count of armed robbery with violence.

He was dealt with under provisions of the Youth Justice Act.

Officers from the State Flying Squad alongside officers from the Far North District have charged 65 people with 249 offences during a 5-day deployment to Cairns. Image: QPS

Inspector Chetham said they have more than 900 police in the Far North region but the extra numbers was welcome support.

“You may not see them all the time in marked vehicle but this week has seen a lot of plain clothed operations, it’s been a mixture of plain clothes and highly visible work.”

Inspector Chetham hoped the blitz could make in roads into the prevalence of stolen vehicles and break-ins in the region.

“We have found that in the past when we make significant arrests and potentially hold people in custody we can see a drop in reported crime,” he said.

“Additional resources like this gives us extra tools to work with, but we do this kind of thing 24/7 a few extra staff can make an impact.

“We are not going to stop after this week we can never take our eye off the ball.”

Superintendent Mick Searle said the State Flying Squad was a valuable addition to the good work already being done by local police on the ground.

“Having a surge capacity to assist our local officers is of huge benefit to the region, to allow us to disrupt offending,” Superintendent Searle said.

“Our priority is keeping the community safe, and we will continue to target those offenders causing harm.”

Originally published as State Flying Squad deployment nets 65 in five-day youth crime blitz in Cairns