Bowen police enjoy ‘a week of no crime’ as armed personnel patrol town

One of Bowen’s top cops said the armed personnel in town for a military exercise had a significant impact on local crime rates.

Australian Army soldier Corporal Ben Dauncey and Army officer Lieutenant William Proudford from 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment Charlie Company liaise with Bowen Police Senior Sergeant Craig Shepherd. Picture: Supplied

The sight of armed troops patrolling the streets of Bowen appears to have kept any would-be criminals at bay over the past week, with police reporting an unusually quiet time at the station.

Senior Sergeant Craig Shepherd worked closely with armed forces as Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021 took up residence in town from July 23 to 26.

On Tuesday he said there had been “no stolen cars, no break-ins, no nothing” during that time, a phenomenon he attributed to the military presence.

“We had a week of no crime in Bowen,” Senior Sergeant Shepherd said.

“We had that many extra police and military here for the exercise.

“People that want to get up to no good don’t tend to come out in those situations,” he said.

Senior Sergeant Shepherd confirmed there had been no protests or disruptions to the exercise, which moved on to Ingham on Monday.

Soldiers from 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment on patrol at Bowen during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021. Picture: Supplied

Originally published as Bowen police enjoy ‘a week of no crime’ as armed personnel patrol town