Break ins, burglary and stolen vehicles: Multiple charges made overnight as Cairns police ramp up CBD presence

More efforts will be ramped up by Cairns police to contain skyrocketing crime rates across the city, while 33 charges have been made overnight relating to outrageous property offences. WHICH SUBURBS WERE HIT?

THE CAIRNS property crime squad has charged six people overnight with a total of 33 property-related offences.

One Manunda man alone racked up 14 charges, including nine counts of unlawful entry and five charges related to theft. Police allege the man broke into properties across the city, including the CBD, Parramatta Park and Mooroobool.

The man was arrested by police after they identified him from CCTV footage. He was scheduled to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court today.

Manoora, Machans Beach, Mount Peter and Redlynch were also targets of vehicle theft, burglary and property damage by underage offenders.

Police are ramping up their presence in key crime areas in response to the latest surge in CBD assaults. Picture: Brendan Radke

Last night’s wave of charges comes off the back of surging crime in Cairns CBD that has left local shop owners at breaking point.

Police arrested two people, including a 16-year-old girl, in response to an assault outside of a Lake St shop on Saturday, April 30 2022. Police laid three charges against the girl, including two counts of common assault. She was given bail on strict conditions and will appear before the Cairns Children’s Court.

Police are still investigating an assault on Shields St shop owner Syed Ali that occurred in the early hours of Monday morning, despite multiple witnesses filming the incident on their phones.

Cairns police have conducted presence activation operations during the week in order to contain the escalating rates of assault and property damage. More assets will be deployed to provide greater security to the public.

A mobile police beat in action. Police say that members of the public should treat the mobile police beat as a “police station on wheels”. Photo supplied.

“Queensland police remain committed to keeping the CBD safe utilising a diverse range of high visibility assets regularly conducting proactive patrols,” said a Cairns police spokeswoman.

“This includes the deployment of the Mobile police beat, a modern, agile policing solution.”

The mobile police beat, described as a “police station on wheels”, will be deployed in accordance with local crime hot spots, changes in crime trends and community concerns.

Police urge the community to engage with this mobile asset to report a crime or make a statement. Police also urge members of the public to continue reporting suspicious behaviour online via Policelink or by phoning 131444.

Originally published as Break ins, burglary and stolen vehicles: Multiple charges made overnight as Cairns police ramp up CBD presence