Operation Assurance putting dent in property crime across the south-east
A new police operation targeting repeat property offenders is putting a dent in property crime across south-east Queensland thanks to rapid information sharing and cooperation across police districts.
Acting Detective Inspector Bryan Swift said the Brisbane Region-led Operation Assurance was established last month with a coordination hub based at Inala.
“We aren’t letting police district borders get in the way of tracking down and charging offenders that are travelling the length and breadth of the south-east committing burglaries, stealing cars and breaking into homes,” Acting Inspector Swift said.
“Right now Operation Assurance investigators are focusing on high-risk offenders who have been stealing vehicles across south-east Queensland and then using those vehicles to commit burglaries and other serious crimes.
“In the first 28 days of the operation, police have charged 329 people with 1,388 offences – the vast majority of them burglary and property offences.”
Acting Inspector Swift said the support of the surrounding districts had been the key to the operation’s success so far.
“The interaction and support of officers from Logan, the Gold Coast, Ipswich and Caboolture in sharing timely information has ensured a rapid response by our investigators,” Acting Inspector Swift said.
“We are filling intelligence gaps about these offenders and the results speak for themselves.
“Operation Assurance is also being well supported by specialist police including PolAir when available, the Public Safety Response Team (PSRT) and general duties patrol groups.”
This week, operation investigators were able to take action against a recidivist property offender thanks to specialist police and officers from the Gold Coast District.
Around 1.30pm on October 18, the Gold Coast Water Police patrolling in Southport sighted a Jeep Grand Cherokee that had been stolen during a burglary in Mansfield on October 9.
When officers attempted to intercept the vehicle, it allegedly dangerously sped away from police.
PolAir was deployed and was able to provide assistance in safely tracking the vehicle to avoid further risk to the public.
A boy was seen parking the stolen Jeep at a unit complex and was taken into custody after a brief foot chase by police.
The search of a nearby property located a Nissan X-Trail allegedly stolen from Southport in early September and the keys to a Mazda 3 stolen from St Lucia in mid-September.
One hundred and thirty grams of cannabis was also located.
Detectives from Brisbane travelled to Southport and returned the 14-year-old Ellen Grove boy to Richlands where he was charged with dealt with eight counts of burglary, three counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, two counts of receiving tainted property and one count each of stealing, possessing dangerous drugs, obstruct police and unlicensed driving.
The charges relate to the incidents in Mansfield, Southport and St Lucia offences as well as a series of five burglaries committed at Brookwater and Springfield Lakes in July 2017.
Operation Assurance will continue through to February 2018.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
Source: Brisbane Crime Alert
