Far North community benefits from new frontline policing initiatives

Police Minister Mark Ryan and Member for Cairns Michael Healy joined Deputy Commissioner Paul Taylor to announce a significant new frontline facility and a new police operation for the Far North Police District.

As part of the joint announcement, the location of the new West Cairns Police Facility was announced along with indicative images of the project’s design.

Minister Ryan said the new multi-million dollar facility will be based in Manoora and will support community safety strategies in the West Cairns area.

“The Queensland Government has a strong commitment to preventing and disrupting crime in the far north,” Minister Ryan said.

“As part of this commitment, the new police facility in Manoora will support policing operations in West Cairns.”

Mr Healy said the announcement illustrated the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to supporting community safety in West Cairns.

“This is concrete evidence of our commitment to community safety.

“The new police facility will serve residents of West Cairns and the broader Cairns community, and also greatly benefit local policing operations.

“It’s a local solution to local issues and is grass roots policing at its best,” Mr Healy said.

Deputy Commissioner Taylor said the new police facility would enhance frontline services as well as local community support in a high growth area.

“The new West Cairns police facility will provide scope for multi-agency collaboration capabilities to provide enhanced service delivery to the community.

“Not only will this benefit the Cairns community, it will also support frontline services.”

The Minister and Deputy Commissioner also announced a new police operation for Cairns.

The new initiative features high visibility patrols along the Cairns Esplanade and CBD as part of a new, concentrated operation to deter and detect criminal activity in the area.

This proactive approach will target all types of anti-social behaviour using multiple police strategies to combat crime on the Esplanade and in the CBD.

As part of these strategies, additional patrols will be carried out by Cairns general duties officers, Tactical Crime Squad officers, plain clothes police and the Road Policing Unit.

Police will pay close attention to the Esplanade, with the support of community members and business owners.

Deputy Commissioner Paul Taylor said the enhanced policing presence will reassure the community, businesses, maintain safety, enforce the law and ensure prompt responses to calls for service.

“Our message is clear, police will not tolerate anti-social behaviour,” Deputy Commissioner Paul Taylor said.

“High visibility policing, first response calls for service and targeting crime trends are all priorities.

“The safety of residents, business owners and visitors to Cairns is a top priority for police who strive to ensure a safe environment for everyone.”

The Deputy Commissioner said the city’s network of security cameras assists officers in responding to real-time incidents in and around the CBD and thanked Cairns Regional Council for its valued partnership.

“We encourage members of the community, including business owners, observing anti-social behaviour to contact police if they have an issue,” the Deputy Commissioner said.

Minister Ryan said local residents and visitors to Cairns should always feel safe while in the Cairns CBD.

“Everyone has the right to enjoy the beautiful esplanade and feel safe as they travel around the Cairns CBD,” Minister Ryan said.

“They should not feel harassed or disturbed by anti-social behaviour.

“The community can expect to see extra police patrols in and around the esplanade precinct with officers targeting those people who are doing the wrong thing.

“This multi-faceted operation has been put together based on feedback from the local Member and the local community and I thank local police for working closely with businesses and community groups to make sure we are addressing their concerns as part of the operation.”

Media contacts 

Minister Ryan’s Office: Ph: (07) 3035 8300

Police Media: Ph: (07) 3015 2444