Police crackdown on property offences

A Queensland Police Service (QPS) taskforce targeting property offences has laid more than 700 charges since being formed on 1 July 2013, Police Minister Jack Dempsey announced today.

Mr Dempsey said Taskforce Integrate involved members, resources and technologies from across south-east Queensland.

“Members of the taskforce have already done a fantastic job with 129 people charged with 702 offences,” Mr Dempsey said.

“This includes 253 charges relating to the unlawful entry of homes and businesses and 116 charges relating to the theft of motor vehicles.

“People who were involved in break and enters at a number of franchise chains across south-east Queensland were among those charged and also those involved in the theft of $2 million of property found at Coopers Plains.

“While these generally aren’t serious or violent crimes, they are crimes which affect grandparents, mums and dads and make people feel unsafe in their own homes.

“The early success shows that criminals must beware – police will be out in force, anywhere, anytime.

“The Newman Government is committed to continuing the crackdown on crime across the state with an additional 1,100 police officers to join the QPS over four years.”

Commissioner Stewart said the taskforce had been formed in response to an identified change in offending behaviour, and to target offences being committed across south-east Queensland.

“This change has seen offenders becoming more mobile and committing offences in districts where they do not live, which therefore limits the effectiveness of traditional district-based policing operations.

“Key to the taskforce success is its ability to operate seamlessly across policing geographical boundaries while working together with police districts and a strategy of relentless follow-up of repeat offenders.

“The restructure of the QPS provided an opportunity to implement a strategy which focuses on those places, people and issues that pose the highest risk to the community in terms of offending and harm.”

[ENDS] 13 August 2013

Media contacts: Lea Emery 0417 226 114 or Danny Donald 0439 716 116