Outstanding results for community safety from Queensland Police Operation

Queensland Police have reported positive results since the launch of Operation Victor Unison on 1 March 2023.

The operation uses high-visibility policing to prevent, disrupt, and investigate youth crime in targeted locations across Queensland, including shopping centres, business and retail precincts, public spaces, and residential areas.

The patrols allow police to engage with young people, conduct bail checks, deter anti-social and criminal behaviour, and boost overall community safety.

Police officers have spent more than 42,000 hours conducting vehicle and foot patrols, supported by additional units, including Highway Patrol, Child Protection and Investigation Unit, Criminal Investigation Branch and Mounted Unit.

Key results:

Since March 2023, more than 7,600 arrests have been made across Queensland.

Of those arrested, this included:

  • More than 2,700 youth offenders charged with over 5,000 charges
  • In Townsville alone, 412 young people were arrested on 524 charges
  • Almost 5,000 adult offenders charged with more than 7,500 offences

 

Police Minister Mark Ryan affirmed that “we are tackling youth crime from every angle – from prevention and early intervention to targeting serious repeat offenders.”

Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer announced their intensive case management program. “We are working with young people to address longstanding issues and as a result, we are seeing over a 50 percent reduction in the frequency of re-offending.”

National Retail Association Policy Director, David Stout applauded the Queensland Government for their prioritisation of community safety and congratulates QPS on their outstanding results for Operation Victor Unison.

“We acknowledge that youth offending is a challenging issue with significant complexities and underlying factors such as social dysfunction, substance abuse, domestic and family violence, family dynamics and dysfunction, and access to social and support services.

The National Retail Association supports that the intervention and rehabilitation of young offenders is crucial in breaking the cycle and delivering long-term change.”