100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Police chopper to be a 'game-changer' for fighting crime on Coast

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

How Coast can capitalise on Games: world sports body CEO

The boss of a global sports education organisation has outlined how the Sunshine Coast can make the most of the 2032 Olympic Games. Switzerland-based World More

Photo of the day: early start

Graeme Brooke was at Currimundi Beach at 5.23am to get this shot. If you have a photo of the day offering, email photo@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. Photos must More

Council to consider delaying dog off-leash beach ban

Dog walkers are happy a temporary off-leash beach might be given an extra year but maintain they were promised a review of changes in More

Swim star’s ‘heartfelt concern’ for legend of sport

Lani Pallister will have thoughts of godmother Dawn Fraser on her mind at the world short course championships, admitting the sporting icon's health scare More

Man charged over alleged sex offences at massage business

A man has been charged with sexual offences that allegedly occurred at a home massage business on the Sunshine Coast. It is alleged the incidents More

Dad fined after kids allegedly ride unregistered e-bikes

Police have fined a dad for allegedly allowing his children to use an unregistered motor vehicle amid a clampdown on the illegal use of More

Police presence on the Sunshine Coast is set to go to new heights with the addition of a helicopter.

The state government will provide the Queensland Police Service with funding to establish a chopper for the region, on the back of advice from police and strong advocacy from local MPs. A helicopter is also on the way to Wide Bay.

The QPS will now embark on a procurement process to secure an appropriate aircraft and operator.

Premier Steven Miles said the helicopters would have a significant impact in fighting crime.

“Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay communities have unfortunately experienced a number of very serious stolen vehicle incidents,” he said.

“It’s these sorts of events that an aerial police capability can intercept, reducing the likelihood of further offending or a tragic outcome.

Polair vision of an allegedly stolen truck being driven between Mooloolaba and Brisbane. Picture: Queensland Police Service

“That’s why we’re taking strong action by providing local police with a Polair helicopter in the Community Safety Plan.

“If the helicopter in Townsville is anything to go by, I’m confident this new chopper will make a big difference in keeping Queenslanders safe across the region.”

Police Minister Mark Ryan said he was proud the service could extend its Polair capabilities to accommodate an increase in population.

“The Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay are fast-growing regions and that’s not going to stop,” he said.

“We need to continue to enhance our investments in community safety.”

Watch: Polair vision of alleged stolen meat truck from Mooloolaba 

Caloundra MP Jason Hunt said the helicopter announcement was “great news for people on the Sunshine Coast”.

“I’ve heard first-hand from police just how much difference a Polair helicopter makes to police operations on the ground in Townsville,” he said.

“To see that same aerial police capability coming to the Sunshine Coast is very gratifying.”

Related story: Stolen car allegedly rammed other vehicle before fatal crash

Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton expected the new resource to make an impression.

“As police say, a Polair helicopter capability makes a very real difference to their ground operations,” he said.

“It makes challenging police operations safer for the community and safer for the police on the ground.”

Commissioner of Police Steve Gollschewski said the helicopters on the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay would be key crime fighting resources.

“Aerial assets are a game-changer in the way police track offenders, search for missing people and gain extensive situational awareness from above,” he said.

Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share