Operation Whiskey Legion Gold Coast: Police reveal results, what happens next

Police on the Gold Coast - boosted by 100 more officers from outside the city - have been busy on the frontline. See the pictures and video from a 10-day crackdown.

Police have vowed to “keep the pressure” on Gold Coast criminals despite the end of a special operation targeting “high-risk” crime.

Operation Whiskey Legion, which saw more than 100 officers from outside the district support local cops, was hailed a success by police who said statistics indicated property crime had decreased while it was in force.

Among notable arrests during the 10 days the operation was running were:

* A 41-year-old Varsity Lakes man charged with ten domestic violence-related offences.

* A 24-year-old man wanted in relation to an assault occasioning bodily harm offence at Labrador who was arrested in Upper Coomera.

* Two men wanted on outstanding matters and for allegedly removing their GPS monitoring devices caught by police in an allegedly stolen car.

* A 20-year-old man deemed a “high-risk offender” wanted on outstanding warrants arrested at a Surfers Paradise hotel.

Operation Whiskey Legion police arrest a 41-year-old Varsity Lakes man on ten domestic violence-related charges. Picture: QPS.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Mel Adams said the operation had resulted in a “great outcome” for the Gold Coast in terms of disruption of crime.

“Some of our statistics at this very early stage suggest a downturn over about the past 10 days in reported property crime on the Gold Coast,” Asst Comm Adams said.

“ … With the conclusion of Operation Whiskey Legion, we have observed significant enhancements in our local enforcement capabilities, particularly in previously crime-affected areas.”

Operation Whiskey Legion police conduct a bail check on the Gold Coast District. Picture: QPS.

Operation Whiskey Legion police conduct a bail check on the Gold Coast District. Picture: QPS.

Police said 231 people were arrested on 532 charges as a result of the operation, including 39 juvenile offenders who were charged with 97 offences.

Officers also conducted 348 street checks, issued 377 traffic and penalty infringement notices, engaged with 10,436 members of the public and conducted 93 business walk-throughs.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Mel Adams. Picture: Keith Woods.

Superintendent Peter Miles with knives seized by police at Helensvale Station during an Oscar Whiskey Legion deployment.

Superintendent Peter Miles said it was highly likely a number of crimes had also been prevented due to the operation.

However he rejected fears that crime figures might spike again now that the extra police resources had left the Gold Coast.

“We’re not taking our foot off the pedal here,” he said.

“We’ve got a very talented bunch of police officers out on the road (who are) very committed to their community. They’ll be keeping that pressure on.”

Operation Whiskey Legion police on the Gold Coast. Picture: QPS.

The operation saw heightened police presence in shopping precincts, train and transport hubs, with Burleigh a particular hot spot.

In the first week of the operation, the Bulletin had reported how traders on Burleigh’s James St felt under siege due to a wave of thefts and threatening behaviour from local troublemakers.

“We targeted everywhere where we felt police were required,” Supt Miles said.

“Burleigh, we’ve been getting intelligence there that there’s been public order offences so we had our mounted police down there, we had our mobile police facilities down there, we did walk-throughs.”

Supt Miles also said Operation Whiskey Legion may return to the Gold Coast in future.

“If we require more assistance or we want to put Operation Whiskey Legion back down on the Gold Coast, then we’ll certainly be putting out hand up.”

Follow @keithjwoods