Operation Nighthawk shows results
/Geraldton sub-district reported a sharp rise in burglary offences in January 2014 and Operation Nighthawk was immediately implemented to target specific Persons of Interest (POIS) and Priority and Prolific Offenders (PPOS).
So far the operation has achieved significant results with positive Police action addressing burglary and related offences, within the Geraldton sub-district.
A total of 33 individuals have been apprehended and charged with 169 volume crime offences.
The offence breakdown for those persons charged is:
- 37 counts of Aggravated Burglary and Commit offence.
- 7 counts of Burglary and Commit offence.
- 36 counts of Steal Motor Vehicle.
- 50 counts of Stealing.
- 39 counts of other offences including Possess Prohibited Drug with Intent to Sell/ Supply, Receiving, Criminal Damage and numerous Trespassing.
Of the 33 individuals charged, 14 are current PPOS, and account for nearly 60% of offences committed.
As a direct result of Operation Nighthawk, 4 PPOS are currently remanded in custody, either as sentenced prisoners or awaiting court proceedings. This is indicative of intelligence led policing leading the monitoring and targeting of known offenders, resulting in significant arrests.
Supervisor of the Geraldton Police Volume Crime Team Sergeant Jayd Morawski, said the Police had been working overtime to see these results.
“The guys in the station are working as hard as they possibly can,” he said.
“They have been literally chasing offenders to see these outcomes come to fruition.
“We’ve responded to what the community have said and we are doing to utmost to get offenders off the street.”
Sergeant Morawski urged people to be vigilant when it comes to locking up their homes and vehicles so they don’t become a victim.
“Geraldton isn’t the Geraldton of the 80’s, the world has changed,” he said.
“The biggest thing people can do is lock up and be vigilant. Lock up your cars and homes.
“Crooks know how to look for apathy and it’s a free kick for them.”
Operation Nighthawk will continue to be an ongoing action.
