The major policing operation which has been sweeping the state since April and charged more than 4,000 people on more than 9,870 offences has returned to Ipswich for a seven-day blitz.
This deployment marks the second time Operation Whiskey Legion (OWL) has honed into Ipswich since it launched here.
With the local and statewide experience of running an OWL operation, Ipswich police will be co-ordinating resources to better crack down on crime hot spot locations to disrupt and prevent crime wherever it is occurring.
A surge of specialist police from Highway Patrol, Crime and Intelligence Command, Rail Squad and Crime Prevention will join forces with local police to target high-risk crime across the district over the next seven days.
From November 7 to 13, the additional resources will crack down on road safety, weapons, property and domestic and family violence (DFV) offences and engage with the community about crime prevention and safety.
The purpose of the operation is to strengthen community safety and enhance local policing capabilities.
Regional Operations and Youth Crime Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Kelly said the QPS is committed to ensuring the community is safe and feels safe.
“Initiatives such as the ongoing state-wide deployments of Operation Whiskey Legion, support our commitment to keep the community safe and take strong, targeted action to reduce crime across Queensland,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Kelly said.
“This work is in addition to the outstanding work our frontline police are out on the streets doing every day, protecting Queenslanders.”
Crime Intelligence Command Acting Chief Superintendent Craig Morrow said to date, OWL has held 3,416 adults and 601 youth to account for offences.
“Some of these charges relate to serious offences such as assault, armed robbery, vehicle theft, DFV offences and more,” Acting Chief Superintendent Morrow said.
“A key component of this operation is also to engage with community, let them know we are here maintaining their safety and provide crime prevention advice.”
“Since Legion began, we have had over 44,980 proactive interactions with members of the community across Queensland.”
“We expect to see similar positive results with the operation’s first return to Ipswich since OWL launched here.”
https://r2.mypolice.qld.gov.au/uploads/2024/11/06/231216_owl-ipswich-breafing.mp4
Ipswich District Officer Superintendent Kylie Rigg said the operation builds on the work general duties officers are doing every day to keep the Ipswich community safe.
“During this deployment we are targeting road safety, domestic and family violence, weapons and property offences, and will be conducting proactive high visibility patrols throughout the district,” Superintendent Rigg said.
“We are also encouraging our community to interact with our officers at our mobile police beats and community engagement events to learn more about crime prevention and ongoing community safety initiatives.”
“This operation, in addition to the work Ipswich’s frontline police do every day to protect Queenslanders, all plays a role in the reduction and prevention of crime, supporting victims, and bringing offenders to justice.”
