Police launch major crime crackdown with rolling statewide operation

• QPS announces new rolling police operation to reduce crime in communities with extra officers deployed across Queensland.
• Extra officers from specialist units will combine with local police to target high-risk offenders in crime hotspots as part of Operation Whiskey Legion.
• First deployments will commence in Ipswich and Logan before regional blitz begins in coming weeks.

The Queensland Police Service is launching a major multi-level operation to reduce crime across Queensland communities.

Operation Whiskey Legion will involve additional police deploying to districts, joining forces with local officers on the ground and targeting a range of local crime issues.

The rolling operations will focus on various crime categories including vehicle theft and property crime, robbery, assault and Domestic and Family Violence (DFV).

Part of the highly visible operation will include expanding crime prevention initiatives such as Bring the Beat where members of the public can request the deployment of a Mobile Police Beat to their local area.

The operation will be in addition to current operations underway across Queensland including Operation Whiskey Unison and Taskforce Guardian.

As part of Operation Whiskey Unison, more than 11,300 people have been arrested during high visibility patrols and activities on more than 18,200 charges since March 2023.

Statewide efforts have also included more than 165,000 crime hotspot patrols, shopping centre walk throughs, bail compliance checks, community engagements and other activities.

Legion will first deploy to Logan and Ipswich in the coming weeks before future deployments in regional Queensland. 

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“Every Queenslanders deserves to be safe and feel safe in their community.

“That sense of safety is heightened when people see Police on the beat, working to protect them.

“Operation Whiskey Legion will supercharge high visibility policing work in communities across the state, which we know is paying dividends.

“We will continue to back our police and support them with more officers, extra resources and tough laws to keep people safe.” 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Police and Community Safety Mark Ryan:

“The operation will mean communities can feel reassured that local police will be bolstered with extra resources to drive down crime.

“It is a targeted approach to substantially boost the police presence in key locations while they go after high risk offenders and ramp-up patrols.  

“The State Government is committed to enhancing community safety through innovative strategies from prevention right through to enforcement.

“We have seen the Queensland Police Service deliver strong results through

Taskforce Guardian and Operation Whiskey Unison and look forward to seeing this new operation make an impact in our communities.

Quotes attributable to Acting Commissioner Steve Gollschewski: 

“The Queensland Police Service is determined to drive down crime across Queensland and this operation will support local efforts in taking strong action against people causing harm in our communities,” Acting Commissioner Gollschewski said.

“We will continue tackling crime from all angles to ensure the community is safe and feels safe.

“Communities can expect to see a surge of police in their area as part of rolling operation deployments in hot spots across Queensland.

“Our local frontline police will be supported by specialist units and extra resources to target our high-risk offenders across various crime categories while also putting in place preventative strategies.”  

Media contacts 

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

Police Media: Ph: (07) 3015 2444