More than 3,500 offenders – including serious and repeat offenders – have been charged with more than 9,000 offences under Queensland’s youth crime initiative, Operation Forge.
Since launching on 27 February, the high-visibility policing operation has targeted repeat and serious offenders responsible for the most harm in Queensland communities – including break-ins, robberies and stolen vehicle offences.
In just under 90 days, Operation Forge has seen 3,526 people charged with 9,106 offences including:
- 645 people charged with 1,678 offences in the South Brisbane district;
- 514 people charged with 1,108 offences in the North Brisbane district;
- 229 people charged with 545 offences in the Capricornia district;
- 237 people charged with 710 offences in the Darling Downs district;
- 379 people charged with 808 offences in the Gold Coast district;
- 435 people charged with 1,038 offences in the Far North district;
- 163 people charged with 324 offences in the Ipswich district;
- 310 people charged with 551 offences in the Logan district;
- 109 people charged with 197 offences in the Mackay Whitsunday district;
- 84 people charged with 153 offences in the Mount Isa district;
- 291 people charged with 689 offences in the Moreton district;
- 51 people charged with 94 offences in the South West district;
- 159 people charged with 272 offences in the Sunshine Coast district;
- 261 people charged with 626 offences in the Townsville district;
- 134 people charged with 313 offences in the Wide Bay Burnett district.
“Every one of these arrests means fewer dangerous offenders on our streets, fewer homes and businesses being broken into, and show how we are restoring safety where you live,” said Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Dan Purdie.
“3,526 arrests in 90 days across the State, and victim numbers down 7.2 per cent, are positive early signs, but we know there is still more work to be done to undo a decade of Labor’s weak laws that created a generation of serious repeat offenders.
“We are delivering exactly as we promised and we will continue to deliver more police and stronger laws to make Queensland safer and fight Labor’s Youth Crime Crisis.”
Queensland Police Acting Commissioner Brett Pointing said Operation Forge has delivered a sustained and coordinated policing response across the state.
“We continue to target the crimes that impact everyday Queenslanders the most,” Acting Commissioner Pointing said.
“These results are being driven by data and intelligence, with local police continuously adapting their response to keep pace with crime trends.
“Our focus is on preventing, disrupting and responding to crime by targeting repeat offenders and those causing the greatest harm across our communities.
“I want to thank everyone involved for their professionalism and commitment to achieve these outcomes.”
