An extra 2100 proactive police patrols and activities have been conducted on the Sunshine Coast as part of a leading police operation aimed at enhancing community safety.
Operation Victor Unison began on 1 March 2023, focusing on preventing, disrupting and investigating youth crime through community engagement and extreme high visibility patrols in intelligence driven hotspot locations.
As part of the operation, officers have undertaken 2157 proactive patrols across on the Sunshine Coast in addition to regular duties.
Patrols have largely involved a dedicated police presence using marked vehicles, Mobile Police Beats and foot patrols in hot spots such as shopping centres, business, retail and restaurant precincts, service stations and other public places.
Across the state, the operation has also resulted in more than 6700 people being charged with more than 11,200 offences – including 2300 juveniles being arrested on 4400 charges.
On the Sunshine Coast, 22 adults have been charged with 35 offences while 20 juveniles have been charged with 22 offences.
The boots-on-the-ground style operation is also allowing more opportunities for police and Police Liaison Officers to engage with young people.
Police Minister Mark Ryan said, “Police have ramped up extreme high-visibility patrols as part of Operation Victor Unison and they are seeing significantly high levels of community engagement and law enforcement.”
“Having extra police in areas such as shopping centres, parklands, public and transport areas is not only enhancing public safety but is also preventing and disrupting criminal and anti-social behaviour.
“It is also a really good opportunity for business owners and community members to speak with their local police about issues affecting them.”
“I am also very pleased with the uptake of participants for the vehicle immobiliser trial where vehicle owners are significantly boosting their vehicle’s security with the help of the Government’s subsidy.
“Operation Victor Unison is just one of the measures introduced to tackle crime and its causes and better support victims.”
Acting Deputy Commissioner, Kev Guteridge said, “The extra patrols as part of Operation Victor Unison are over and above normal calls for service and everyday policing operations in areas where they are needed most.“
“Our officers are engaging with young people in public spaces, patrolling business and residential areas, conducting bail checks, interacting with the community, undertaking wanding operations and taking enforcement action against those committing offences.
“We are also deploying our Mobile Police Beat vehicles in communities across Queensland where officers will temporarily base themselves and engage with community members.
“Our crime prevention officers are also highly active in our communities, providing advice to residents and vehicle owners about boosting their security.”
