Whiskey Legion latest: Fresh details revealed on major police operation

A man who allegedly snatched an old lady’s purse has been quickly apprehended after running straight into a major police operation at a Gold Coast transport hub where knives were also detected. Full details.

A bungling thief who allegedly snatched an old lady’s purse was quickly apprehended after running straight into a major police operation involving dozens of officers.

The 72-year-old’s handbag was allegedly stolen as she was shopping at the Westfield Helensvale about 1.20pm on Wednesday.

The alleged thief then made his way across Town Centre Dr to the adjacent Helensvale Railway Station where police were conducting a wanding operation as part of Operation Whiskey Legion.

“He ran straight (to the station) and officers were here doing the wanding operation – it was a big mistake for him,” Superintendent Peter Miles said.

“They thought it didn’t look right, didn’t smell right, we’ll prop him, and while they had him in their custody they realised he was right for that offence.

“ ... He landed in our lap.”

Police at Helensvale Train Station on Wednesday.

The alleged offence was one of a number recorded during the police operation at Helensvale Train Station on Wednesday, where a number of knives also detected.

“We’re sending a clear message that we won’t tolerate any weapons on our public transport network,” Supt Miles said.

Operation Whiskey Legion, which has seen more than a 100 specialist officers from across Queensland deployed to the Gold Coast to boost local forces, began on Monday and was to run for ten days.

In addition to high visibility operations at transport hubs and shopping centres, it also involves a significant road policing operation and the execution of warrants.

Superintendent Peter Miles with knives seized by police at Helensvale Train Station on Wednesday.

Supt Miles said police were pleased with the progress of Whiskey Legion so far.

“We’ve had some really good success,” Supt Miles said.

“We’re writing off files, we’re finding people, the proactive work that’s going on that’s stopping crime before it happens.

“The number of jobs that are outstanding is reducing because police are out there, they’re taking care of business, it’s been really successful so far.”

As of Wednesday morning, 61 arrests had been made as part of Whiskey Legion and 128 charges laid. Of those arrested, six were juveniles.

Supt Miles said the high police presence had also provided reassurance to the community.

“The biggest buzz that we get out of it is the positive interaction with the community, the police officers out on the street, they’re going from job to job and to take time out and do jobs like this, it’s really good for their welfare.

“ ... The reaction has been really positive.”

PREVIOUSLY: MAJOR CRIME-BUSTING OPERATION GETS UNDERWAY

Police say the service is under increasing pressure as a giant operation targeting high risk crime gets underway on the Gold Coast.

More than 100 specialist officers from across Queensland arrived in the city on Monday to support local forces as part of a 10-day high-harm crime blitz deployment under Operation Whiskey Legion.

Assistant Commissioner Brian Connors said the surge in police numbers came as police faced a “challenging environment”.

“Expect to see officers in plain clothes and uniform and expect to see a range of specialists rolling out to the Gold Coast to help the front line through some local issues,” he said.

“It is a challenging environment for police, right across the state and right across the nation at this particular point in time.

“We are taking a very firm step and very affirmative action to roll out additional specialist resources to help frontline police each and every day.”

Officers taking part in Operation Whiskey Legion at a briefing on the Gold Coast.

On Saturday the Bulletin reported how business owners in Burleigh Heads said they were desperate for a greater police presence amid a wave of crime affecting the area.

It came after Gold Coast Superintendent Peter Miles said police across the city were “stretched”.

Assistant Commissioner Connors said on Monday Queensland Police were dealing with a very high rate of demand.

“The reality is that we constantly monitor crime challenges and resourcing pressures where we have them,” he said.

“The police service in general, like other police services in Australia, are under pressure. It’s a very high operational tempo, there’s a lot happening and there’s a high rate of demand.

“We’re actually conducting intelligence led analysis as you would expect to look at areas where we can best deploy the resources of the service to come in and augment local resources.”

Assistant Commissioner Brian Connors speaking about the roll-out of Operation Whiskey Legion on the Gold Coast.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Brian Swan speaking about the roll-out of Operation Whiskey Legion on the Gold Coast.

Commissioner Steve Gollschewski, who was appointed on Monday, said the essence of Legion was to bolster community safety.

“By collaborating with our specialist teams, our officers on the Gold Coast will specifically target those posing the most significant risk to public safety and who are causing the most harm,” Commissioner Gollschewski said.

“The operation will primarily address high-harm offences including robberies, burglaries, serious assaults, vehicle theft and Domestic and Family Violence.

“Part of our focus will also be on maintaining communication with victims of crime, ensuring they receive support and updates through the process.”

Acting Deputy Commissioner Brian Swan said officers faced a number of challenge on the Gold Coast.

“The Gold Coast is probably one of the most unique, challenging and dynamic policing environments we have in Queensland,” he said.

“As you know we are Queensland’s second largest city. We have so many visitors from not just overseas but from across Queensland and across Australia.

“So our challenges are multi-faceted.”

New Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / John Gass

Among the police deployed to the Gold Coast for the 10-day operation will be officers from Highway Patrol, Crime and Intelligence Command, the Rail Squad, Water Police, Dog Squad and Crime Prevention.

Police said poor driving behaviours would also be targeted, with errant motorists warned to expect to encounter police operations on Gold Coast roads.

“You’ll see a number of rolling lockdown type operations where there will be a high component part of road policing and highway patrol staff as well as more mainstream police, as well as officers who are deployed from central commands to provide that professional level of support,” Assistant Commissioner Connors said.

Police said that in the first 10-day deployment of Operation Whiskey Legion, 357 adults were arrested on 643 offences and 72 juveniles were arrested on 252 offences in Ipswich and Logan.

More than 1,000 victims of crime were engaged by police with 31 of those also referred to support services during the deployment.

Supt Miles said Gold Coast police were looking forward to having the additional officers deployed to support the work of local police.

“Following the successful implementations in Logan and Ipswich, we’re excited welcoming these additional resources to the Gold Coast to bolster what we’re already doing. This will enhance our local enforcement capabilities, particularly in areas that have been most impacted by crime,” Supt Miles said.

“The Gold Coast community will see extra officers and Police Liaison Officers (PLOs) in our busy areas, such as our safe night precincts, major shopping centres, and transport hubs. They’ll not only be performing enforcement, but also engaging with the community about crime prevention, wanding activities and ongoing initiatives for community safety.

“Drivers on our local highways and roads will notice more police patrols, focusing on people involved in drink and drug driving, as well as those who are driving dangerously or carelessly.

“We’re looking forward to seeing what we can achieve with Whiskey Legion here on the Gold Coast in enhancing public safety.”

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Originally published as Whiskey Legion latest: Fresh details revealed on major police operation