Taskforce to lead law and order crackdown in state’s north

A police task force will target recidivist and youth offenders in the state’s north after an uptick in crime, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management Felix Ellis announced on Friday.

Minister Felix Ellis.

A police task force will target recidivist and youth offenders in the state’s north after an uptick in crime, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management Felix Ellis announced on Friday.

Taskforce Raven will commence in the coming days, with members to be based out of Launceston Police Headquarters.

“We are continuously seeing the same group of people committing crimes, and strong action needs to be taken,” Mr Ellis said.

“We’ve seen great success targeting serial offenders through Taskforce Saturate in the Southern District, and I look forward to seeing this important work continue in the north through Taskforce Raven.

“We can be tough on crime, and tough on the causes of crime and by taking action, we will reduce crime in our community.”

Mr Ellis said the government was taking action “because the community is fed up”.

According to Tasmania Police’s latest Corporate Performance Report, residents of the north report feeling safer at home during the day (91 per cent) and the night (91 per cent) than those in the south (86 per cent and 90 per cent).

They also report higher satisfaction with police services, at 76 per cent compared with 70 per cent in the south.

Tasmania Police in Hobart. Picture: Tasmania Police

But crime is on the rise in the north: there were 1866 public order incidents in the north in the financial year to November 2024, compared with an average of 1814 over the three previous corresponding periods; public place assaults were up from 132 to 137 and family violence incidents up from 505 to 732.

Total monthly offences for November were up from 3639 to 4568, with offences in Launceston division up 10 per cent, in the central-north up 51 per cent and in the northeast up 20 per cent, the police figures show.

The nine juvenile offenders accused of serious crimes to November made up around 18 per cent of those accused of such offences, compared with 34 per cent in the south.

Mr Ellis said the strike force was part of a broader law and order push.

“We’ve extended the trial of metal detection wands to ensure dangerous weapons are taken off our streets, we’re pumping the brakes on dangerous driving with our new Hooning Bill, and consultation is now underway on our strong new knife crime legislation, Reid’s Law,” he said.

“We want to send a message to those who feel they’re above the law loud and clear – if you commit crime in Tasmania, you will be caught.

“Tasmanians have told us they want a government who keeps them safe, and that’s exactly what we are doing.”