Strike Force Viper reaches crime-busting milestone

THE police strike force targeting property crime in Alice Springs has hit a huge milestone since it began operating in October

• Strike Force Viper collects more than 100 evidence briefs against youths in first seven weeks of operation in Alice Springs
• ‘Lock it or lose it’: says head of police operation

STRIKE Force Viper investigators have submitted a total of 300 prosecution and youth diversion files since the team began operating on 14 October.

“Having a dedicated team to focus solely on property crime has seen our clear up rates improve due to the team’s knowledge of those recidivist property offenders, the way they operate and where to find them,” said Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Evan Kelly.

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“The Strike Force Viper team will continue to target all property offending with a focus on unlawful entries and stolen motor vehicles in order to ensure those responsible are held accountable for their offending.”

In addition to Viper, police are running Operation Shorewood until March 2021.

Shorewood is an intelligence-led and evidence-based operation to combat the annual increase in criminal activity and anti-social behaviour Alice traditionally sees over the summer.

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Moving into the New Year, police have reminded the Alice Springs community to remain vigilant by locking windows and doors, securing vehicle keys even when at home, and by reporting any suspicious activity.

The reporting of suspicious people or activity often leads to property crime being prevented before it happens.