A major police blitz across southeast Queensland’s bus network has led to the arrest of almost 700 people.
An operation was launched in April last year throughout the Gold Coast, Logan, Brisbane and Moreton regions.
Officers were out in force undertaking more than 600 high-visibility patrols in that time to prevent, disrupt and deter anti-social and criminal behaviour on public transport.
The blitz has resulted in 692 people charged with an offence since April.
Majority of charges relate to drug offences, weapon offences, breaches of bail, outstanding arrest warrants and more.
Officers also conducted more than 4,600 wanding searches leading to 74 weapons being taken off our streets.
In November, 8 knives were seized within a 7-hour period alone during patrols at Upper Mount Gravatt busway.
Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy says the high visibility policing presence on busways ensured the safety of bus drivers and passengers as well as patrons frequenting nearby shopping centres and public transport hubs.
“No doubt as school holidays continue people will be using public transport to travel to high traffic areas like shopping centres and lifestyle precincts,” Deputy Commissioner Chelepy says.
“To have removed 74 weapons from the south-east bus network alone is an outstanding effort in protecting these commuters and we are committed to continuing to take dangerous weapons off our streets,
“430 weapons have been seized now state-wide thanks to Jack’s Law,
“Police and Translink will continue to be out in force together patrolling busways, to ensure our communities can safely enjoy all Queensland has to offer.”
Vision has been released of police patrols and arrests.
WATCH:
| Operation Victor Course statistics from April 2023 – 3pm January 12 2024 | |
| Number of busway patrols across SEQ (Brisbane North, Brisbane South, Gold Coast, Logan, Moreton) | 610 |
| Number of weapons seized total during busway operations | 74 |
| Number of people charged as a result of operations (both arrested or given NTA) | 692 |
| Number of people wanded total | 4688 |
| Number of bus drivers engaged with total | 5057 |
