State Flying Squad touches down to disrupt Far North criminals

During the first day of a specialist deployment to the Far North 24 people have been charged including one teen who police allege bashed a homeowner and demanded car keys before taking off.

Twenty-four people have been charged during a week-long crime blitz including one teen who police allege bashed a homeowner and demanded car keys before fleeing on foot.

Queensland Police Service officers from the State Flying Squad have deployed to the Far North for a week-long operation aimed at disrupting criminal activity.

Between April 30 and May 6, the high-visibility operation will see specialist police from the southeast deployed to support local officers in targeting high-risk domestic and family violence offenders, property crime, road safety and anti-social behaviour.

Queensland Police Service officers at a Cairns Central Shopping Centre pop-up information stall on Thursday. Picture: Supplied

The operation coincides with the beginning of Domestic Violence Prevention Month and at Cairns Central Shopping Centre a pop-up information desk was set up on Thursday.

Far North District Acting Superintendent Nathan Blain said extra boots on the ground would help deliver an effective crackdown on crims causing harm throughout the region.

“The community can expect to see an increased presence of police conducting high-visibility patrols, while targeting hotspot areas,” he said.

“We’re also encouraging the community to interact with officers at community engagement events to learn more about crime prevention and community safety.”

One of the first groups to be taken off the street by the state’s Flying Squad on Wednesday was a 14-year-old Parramatta Park boy and another unknown offender who police allege were involved in the assault and standing over of a Wiseman Road resident for car keys.

Both boys fled the Edmonton house and one was later captured after being found cowering in a garden bed. He was charged with 10 offences including enter dwelling and commit, armed robbery, trespass and breach of bail.

Queensland Police Flying Squad officers locate and arrest an Edmonton boy accused of entering a home and demanding car keys from the occupant. Picture: QPS

Crime and Intelligence Command Detective Acting Inspector Teena Rolls said previous State Flying Squad deployments have seen positive results.

“With the operation’s return to the Far North, we anticipate similarly positive outcomes as we work to strengthen safety and reduce crime in the district,” Detective Acting Inspector Rolls said.

“This surge capacity highlights the QPS’ zero-tolerance approach to serious repeat offenders who put Queenslanders at risk, and commitment to reducing crime, and victims of crime.”

Also charged by Flying Squad officers was two Edmonton boys aged 15 and 16 who were observed acting suspiciously while leaving a property on Cooktown Rd. They ran from police before being collared on Wednesday and charged with a slew of offences including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, fraud, obstruct police officer, trespass, discharge firearms or other act and breach of bail.

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Originally published as State Flying Squad touches down to disrupt Far North criminals