Far North Police have charged 605 people with 1,575 offenses since Operation Yankee Forge began in February.
Operation Yankee Forge targets the offenders who cause the greatest harm to our community, including robberies, trespassing and illegal vehicle use.
Since 27 February, 284 young people have been charged with 984 offenses and 321 adults have been charged with 591 offences.
On July 19, Smithfield police arrested four teenagers after they were allegedly caught entering homes in Smithfield and Trinity Park around 3 a.m. that day.
Two 18-year-old men, a 17-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy, were arrested and charged with a total of 43 offences, including 11 counts of home invasion and 25 counts of attempted home invasion.
All four are due to appear again at Cairns Children’s Magistrates Court at a later date.
On July 9, Far North Tactical Crime Squad officers were on patrol when they allegedly noticed a silver Holden Commodore being driven with false number plates.
Further investigation revealed that the driver, a 35-year-old Earlville resident, was allegedly wanted for multiple driving violations.
It is further alleged that officers attempted to intercept the vehicle on Buchan Street, but it failed to stop and drove away.
The vehicle spotted by POLAIR then drove dangerously through White Rock before a tire deflation device was successfully deployed nearby.
It is alleged that the man then got out of the car and fled to the White Rock educational institution, where he was soon arrested.
He was charged with a total of 18 offences, including driving without a licence, using a vehicle numbered to another vehicle, driving an uninsured vehicle, vehicles used on roads must be registered, tax evasion, knowingly causing unnecessary noise or smoke, dangerous operation of a vehicle, trespassing, failure to appear and receiving damaged property.
Far North District Chief Superintendent Kevin Fitzgibbon said police were working hard to bring offenders into custody and bring them to justice.
“Our officers are incredibly skilled when it comes to coordinating a range of resources to prevent and deter crime and reduce the harm caused to victims,” Chief Superintendent Fitzgibbon said.
“These are encouraging results and we will continue to keep the pressure on offenders through proactive policing strategies, the use of specialist units and intelligence-led operations.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety and support of everyone who lives and visits our community.”
Far North total
• Offenders: 602
• Fees: $1,575.
• Adult offenders: 321
• Fee per adult: 591.
• Juvenile offenders: 284 people.
• Charges against minors: 984
Adult crimes
• Adult robbery charges: 43
• Adult Illegal Entry Fee: 385.
• Adult Illegal Use of Motor Vehicle Fees: 163
Juvenile crimes
• Juvenile robbery charges: 48
• Charges of illegal entry of minors: 587
• Charges of illegal use of motor vehicles by minors: 349