Queensland’s State Flying Squad has charged more than 2,500 people with more than 7,800 offences, as the rapid response unit surpasses 150 deployments across the state.
Built to move fast, target and remove dangerous criminals from the streets, the 58-officer specialist State Flying Squad is the largest police rapid response unit in Queensland’s history and provides surge capacity into crime hotspots.
The unit is triple the size of previous flying squads and is backed by $32.4 million in funding. Since its establishment, the Squad has completed 157 deployments across Queensland and charged 2,560 offenders – including 1,389 juveniles – with a combined 7,798 offences.
Officers have also delivered 658 youth diversions.
Queensland Police Far North District Superintendent Mick Searle said recent deployments have delivered strong results across regional Queensland, including in Cairns and the Far North District, where officers charged 81 people with 198 offences and finalised 70 files in just 10 days.
“The additional support from the State Flying Squad compliments the excellent work being done by local officers on the ground, day and night,” said Supt Searle.
“We are continuing to target priority offenders causing harm in the community and the recent expansion of the Tactical Crime Squad, Property Crime Unit as well as these State Flying Squad deployments are helping us put downward pressure on crime.
“We are seeing progress but there’s still a way to go, and we’re grateful for the community’s ongoing cooperation.”
Hotspot locations for the State Flying Squad have included:
- 27 deployments to the Far North District
- 24 deployments to the Townsville District
- 17 deployments to the Darling Downs District
- 14 deployments to the Capricornia District
- 13 deployments to the Wide Bay-Burnett District
The State Flying Squad is continuing to target emerging crime hotspots, with deployments underway or scheduled for the Wide Bay- Burnett District, Ipswich District and Townsville District.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Dan Purdie said the Squad was making Queensland safer.
“These results mean fewer criminals on our streets; homes and businesses being broken into and cars stolen after the number of victims of crime increased by 193 per cent under Labor,” Minister Purdie said.
Queensland Police Detective Inspector Joe Nixon said the Squad has proven its effectiveness in supporting local police and operations with extra boots on the ground, during its first 150 deployments in its enhanced form.
“This deployment to the Far North provided an investigative surge capacity, giving local police extra ability to execute proactive and reactive operations to enhance community safety, while helping remove serious repeat offenders from Cairns’ streets,” Detective Inspector Nixon said.
