Operation Marshall involves a proactive policing scheme in which officers are sent to high-risk areas. Photo: Queensland Police Service.
The Queensland Government has launched a proactive police operation as part of its war on crime.
Operation Marshall will put “high-visibility” police into areas of the state with high rates of crime, with a focus on high-risk young offenders.
Set to cost $31.3 million, the operation, part of the 2025-26 state budget, is the latest component of the government’s effort to reduce crime.
The crackdown began on 1 July and in its first week resulted in 393 charges laid against 250 offenders, including 76 charges against 48 juveniles.
Officers deployed in the move conducted more than 2400 proactive activities such as patrols, crime prevention and disruption, and community engagements.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said it would extend the success of a previous strategy known as the State Flying Squad, which used “high-impact policing”.
The State Flying Squad, a specialist rapid-response unit comprising 58 officers (as of 12 January), targets high-risk offenders and has been deployed 50 times.
The squad has tripled in size since January and has charged more than 1100 offenders with more than 3300 offences across the state. This includes 902 juveniles charged with 2375 offences, with many of the youths to face the government’s Adult Crime, Adult Time laws.
Premier David Crisafulli has said these resources are a major component of the LNP Government’s attempt to reduce crime in the state, an issue it said was exacerbated by past Labor policy.
“This is more boots on the ground where they’re needed, when they’re needed, to help turn the tide on youth crime,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“We’re backing our police with the resources they need, and Operation Marshall is another example of that.”
The government said the operation would “evolve as needed”.
