Specialist police from Taskforce Guardian have teamed up with officers deployed as part of Operation Whiskey Unison, to target youth offending and anti-social behaviour in the Cairns CBD.

Between June 15 and June 21, 111 people were charged with 355 offences in Cairns, as Taskforce Guardian saturated the Safe Night Precinct and Esplanade for its tenth deployment to the region.

Officers from the Cairns City Beat Station, Police Liaison Officers (PLOs), the Cairns Anti-social and Public Space Team (CAPS) worked alongside Youth Justice workers to disrupt and prevent anti-social behaviour in the CBD, target high-risk juvenile offending and bolster community safety.

The boots-on-the-ground style of operation also allows more opportunities for officers and PLOs to conduct bail checks and engage with young people, as well as performing high-visibility patrols in populated areas.

As part of the Taskforce Guardian deployment, 34 people were charged with 107 offences, including 31 young people and 3 adults.

Officers completed five bail objections and actioned 78 files.

A 15-year-old Bentley Park girl was charged with one count each of stealing and wilful damage after she allegedly damaged the walls of a Bentley Park property, and on a separate occasion, stole cash from a handbag.

She was expected to appear before Cairns Children’s Court on June 26.

Acting Detective Inspector Alina Bell said the co-ordination of the simultaneous operations working together was successful in strengthening Cairns’ response to youth crime.

“Taskforce Guardian continues to successfully support local police in tracking down and apprehending offenders, and keeping the community safe,” Acting Detective Inspector Bell said.

“We continue to perform proactive policing activities as part of Operation Whiskey Unison and want everyone visiting and living in the Cairns CBD to be and feel safe.

“Community members and business owners can be assured police will not tolerate anti-social behaviour.

“Our City Beat police work tirelessly day in and day out, and will continue strategic efforts to target hotspots and support community safety.”

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