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Permanent operation to expand police patrols in Townsville

A new, permanent police operation rolled out across the state today, with an aim to increasing community engagement with police and making shopping centres safer.

Video has emerged of a fight between students at Willows Shopping Centre on February 2.
Video has emerged of a fight between students at Willows Shopping Centre on February 2.

A new, permanent police operation will provide high visibility patrols through Townsville’s shopping centres in order to address a recent spate of high profile crimes.

The operation, dubbed Victor Unison, will roll out proactive policing and patrols across the state as part of a wider policy building on the prior Operation Uniform Theta.

Operation Victor Unison commenced on March 1, with the measure announced by Police Minister Mark Ryan as part of the state government’s wider measures to combat youth crime.

Townsville has experienced a number of violent and dangerous crimes recently at shopping centres, with teens seen brawling and a stolen car tearing through the Willows shopping centre car park over the final week of February.

Operation Victor Unison’s focus will be broader than just shopping centres but Queensland Police Service Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler said the police had seen a clear need to step up patrols and increase ‘back to basics’ policing after liaising with the community.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler. Picture: Richard Walker
Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler. Picture: Richard Walker

“We do talk to members of the community, and we want to know directly what their concerns are and that is a concern that has been raised,” Deputy Commissioner Wheeler said.

“We’ve got some great shopping centres in Townsville and we want to make sure people can enjoy those areas without being fearful of becoming a victim of crime.”

Video has emerged of a fight between students at Willows Shopping Centre on February 2.
Video has emerged of a fight between students at Willows Shopping Centre on February 2.

In addition to shopping centres, increased mobile and foot patrols will be moving through other retail sectors and high-priority areas, as well as engaging directly with the community, something Deputy Commissioner Wheeler is keen to see continue.

“What I would encourage the community to do when they see police out there doing this work, is to come out and talk to them.

“Throughout Operation Uniform Theta, we saw well over 20,000 engagements across the areas that ran the operation and we want to see that replicated and increase.”

Officers assigned to these new patrols across the state will be sourced by putting officers who would otherwise be off on overtime.

The operation will also coincide with the introduction of weapon-detecting wands within safe night precincts, including Townsville.

Police Minister Mark Ryan said the increased patrols would deter criminals.

“Having extra police out on patrol has a strong deterrence factor and sends a clear message to would-be offenders.”

Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said that feedback from businesses showed that previous operations had been received well.

“The feedback I’ve received from local businesses whenever the police have done similar patrols has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Originally published as Permanent operation to expand police patrols in Townsville

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Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/townsville/permanent-operation-to-expand-police-patrols-in-townsville/news-story/ee04e2a184afa23d8b7bf46703a669f0