Rochedale South crime wave: Covert police operation targets criminals

A covert police operation has been launched to tackle a southern Brisbane crime wave, after thousands of fed-up residents started patrolling their own streets.

Police Minister Dan Purdie, Rochedale South crime watch founder Damion Douglass, Acting Police Inspector Matt Scott and Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber. Picture: Liam Kidston

A covert police operation has been launched to tackle a southern Brisbane crime wave, after thousands of fed-up residents started patrolling their own streets to stop brazen thugs breaking into their homes.

Police Minister Dan Purdie has conceded Rochedale South is experiencing a spike in crime, with a major police operation now under way to dismantle the network.

The state government in December passed tough crime laws targeted at reducing youth crime across Queensland, but Rochedale South residents have been defending their suburb from machete-wielding thugs with nightly patrols for more than a month.

Mr Purdie, who stepped into the role of police minister three months ago, said he was “under no illusion” that he would solve crime within 100 days.

“We will see the effects flow through to our communities and we will keep giving police what they need to do their job and the resources they need,” he said.

Mr Purdie and Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber met with founder of the Rochedale South Neighbourhood Crime Watchers Damion Douglass on Thursday night to discuss the ongoing criminal threat to the neighbourhood.

Rochedale South crime watch founder Damion Douglass speaks with ministers on Thursday. Picture: Liam Kidston

The 3000-strong community watch group was formed after a series of confronting break-ins, with recent incidents involving balaclava-clad, machete-wielding thugs invading homes and scoping out streets.

Police have now linked an armed group to a series of robberies and property offences across Rochedale, Carindale, Eagleby, Underwood and Manly West since Monday.

Mr Douglass said residents undertake three patrols daily, with some residents putting their jobs on the line in a bid to defend homes.

“Some patrollers patrol nightly for a few hours, some 30 minutes, and some three patrols per day,” he said. “Some have been disciplined by their work because of this. Clearly they have had time off to attend patrols, but never have we requested such, they just choose to.”

An incident command centre has now been established and a flying squad deployed to tackle crime hotspots across Brisbane’s south.

Mr Douglass said he was reassured by Mr Purdie and Ms Gerber that community collaboration and improved police communication would be prioritised.

“Their commitment offers hope that, step by step, we can address and reduce crime in our neighbourhoods. However, we aren’t going to relax just yet,” Mr Douglass said.

Mr Purdie acknowledged the state needs more police to respond to crime levels.

“We’ve got a long-term strategy to try and get our police back out in the street, fighting crime,” he said.

Originally published as Rochedale South crime wave: Covert police operation targets criminals