Crackdown on break and enters boosts business safety

Published Thursday, 12 June, 2014 at 11:00 AM

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
The Honourable Jack Dempsey

Brisbane and Ipswich businesses are now even safer after the completion of Operation Mike Snowshoe, an intensive operation targeting break and enters in South East Queensland. 

Police Minister Jack Dempsey joined Detective Inspector Lew Strohfeldt to mark the completion of the operation.

Minister Dempsey said since its inception in November 2013 the Ipswich District Property Team (IDPT) hasn’t ‘let up’, with the team arresting 511 people on more than 1,500 charges, or an average of 73 people on 225 charges a month.

"As part of our strong plan for a brighter future for all Queenslanders we want to make sure businesses are protected from criminals when they shut up shop for the night,” Mr Dempsey said.

“Our commitment to revitalise frontline services has delivered 750 more police to the frontline and they're cracking down on crime.

"Crime across the state is down and the IDPT has done a great job ensuring businesses in this region are better protected into the future."

The IDPT consists of 22 officers sourced from around the District including the Ipswich Criminal Investigation Branch, Ipswich Child Protection and Investigation Unit, Ipswich, Goodna, Springfield and Karana Downs stations, and officers from the Ipswich District Intelligence Office.

Detective Inspector Lew Strohfeldt from Ipswich District said during the teams latest operation, Operation Mike Snowshoe, the IDPT executed eight search warrants and arrested a total of nine people on 67 charges.

“We estimate that more than $45,000 dollars worth of damage has been done to businesses targeted by these offenders, as well as large amounts of property and cash stolen,” Mr Strohfeldt said.

Operation Mike Snowshoe commenced in April to target break and enter offences in the Ipswich and Brisbane regions. Some of the businesses targeted included fast food outlets, coffee shops, computer stores, a four wheel drive business and a swimming pool shop.

“We commenced Mike Snowshoe after noticing similarities existed between some recent break and enter offences. The offences typically occurred between 1am and 7am, involved two or three offenders, as well as similarities in relation to method of entry and type of property stolen,” Mr Strohfeldt said.

Operation Mike Snowshoe closed yesterday with police from the IDPT, as well as the North Brisbane and South Brisbane District property teams, executing four search warrants in the Ipswich area and one in South Brisbane and charging five people on 30 property related offences.  

Four men were arrested including a 23-year-old Redbank Plains man (24 charges), a 37-year-old Collingwood Park man (three charges), a 28-year-old Collingwood Park man (six charges), and an 18-year-old Redbank Plains man (six offences). A 23-year-old Gailes woman was also issued with a Notice to Appear in relation to one charge. Two of the men, the 23-year-old and the 18-year-old, are due to appear in the Ipswich Magistrates Court yesterday.

Member for Ipswich Ian Berry said the Ipswich District Property Team was committed to continuing their work to improve the safety of local residents and businesses.

“There will be no let up from officers attached to the IDPT. Police have a dedicated team of officers targeting property offenders and ensuring that the homes and businesses across Ipswich are safer.” Mr Berry said.

Member for Ipswich West Sean Choat said that the results were a result of the collaborative and targeted approach undertaken by Ipswich District Police.

“Operation Mike Snowshoe is a great example of the collaboration between police districts,”  Officers from the IDPT worked closely with their counterparts in both the North Brisbane District Property Team and the South Brisbane District Property Team, in identifying trends and targeting offenders across Ipswich and Brisbane,” Mr Choat said.

[ENDS] 12 June 2014                                              

Media Contacts: Andrew Kos 0408 912 821