Cowardly acts and car ramming in week-long Far North crime wave

##MP##

Elderly residents were assaulted, tourists were robbed, and teenagers used stolen cars to ram other vehicles in a disturbing week of crime in Cairns.

Police Far North Region Crime Inspector, Kevin Goan, said the offending was serious and significant.

“In the last week, we’ve arrested 49 persons on 306 property offences,” he said.

“In the last four days, since the public holiday, we’ve arrested 28 persons on 222 property offences. That’s 23 youths and five adults.

##BA##

“Police have, to date, recovered 18 stolen vehicles.

“That’s a significant policing response, it’s a significant occurrence in terms of criminal activity.”

Inspector Goan said a significant number of people are still wanted for questioning over alleged crimes during the past week.

“Certainly, the behaviours were probably the most concerning that I’ve seen,” he said.

“We’ve had a number of reports in terms of the manner of driving by young people on our public roads.

“There were a number of civilian vehicles rammed over the last four days. There were police vehicles also rammed by these young people in stolen vehicles.

“We’ve had reports that these vehicles have been driven at ambulance officers.

##PQ##

Inspector Goan said off-duty police were called in to support operations, and some officers gave up days off to return to duty.

Among the crimes reported was the robbery and assault of an 88-year-old in his Bayview Heights home, and the assault of an 86-year-old-woman in her home.

Two overseas visitors were assaulted and robbed in the Cairns CBD.

Inspector Goan said these were cowardly attacks.

“These young offenders are preying on vulnerable people,” he said.

“Slightly built Japanese women being deprived of their handbags by young male offenders who are bigger than their victims, is a cowardly act.

“We have elderly in their homes that are subject to this type of activity.

“We as a community need to be able to support those vulnerable people.”