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Specialist police have already began saturating the Far Northern District, after Operation Whiskey Legion commenced its latest deployment yesterday, September 25.

The major multi-level operation will aim to reduce crime in hotspot areas and target the offenders causing the most harm in the community.

Operation Whiskey Legion will see specialist police from Highway Patrol, Crime and Intelligence Command, Rail Squad, Water Police, Dog Squad, and Crime Prevention join forces with local police to ensure the community not only is safe but also feels safe.

Far Northern communities can expect to see high visibility patrols in shopping centres, on major roads, at public transport hubs, and in the Safe Night Precinct.

Officers will be deployed to Cairns, Port Douglas, the Cassowary Coast and Tablelands regions during the deployment.

A ‘police pop-up’ event will be hosted from 10am to 12pm on Friday September 27, near the City Beat Station, allowing locals and visitors to engage with police about crime prevention, recruiting, and community safety activities.

Far North District Officer Chief Superintendent Kevin Fitzgibbon said Operation Whiskey Legion will focus on both enforcement and community engagement.

“We will be targeting high-risk offenders, especially those who have committed domestic violence and property crime offences, as Operation Whiskey Legion saturates the Far North,” Chief Superintendent Fitzgibbon said.

“This deployment is also an opportunity to connect with the community and understand their needs, as well as highlighting some of the police work that crews on the ground take part in all year round.

“We are unlike anywhere else the operation has been before, so this operation has been tailor made to suit the specific needs of the Far North District.”

Since Operation Whiskey Legion launched in April, 3,480 people have been charged with 8,741 offences.