Stolen vehicles and dangerous driving targeted by new taskforce

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ACT Policing has established Operation Toric to address an increase in motor vehicle thefts and associated dangerous driving and other crimes in the ACT.  

Operation Toric began on the 1st of August and it will focus on those individuals in our community who are continuing to put the community, themselves and police at risk.  

In their first three weeks Operation Toric investigators have arrested 18 offenders and laid more than 70 charges. Offences include failing to stop for police, aggravated dangerous driving, driving at police, taking a motor vehicle without consent, firearm offences, drug driving and unregistered, unlicenced and uninsured driving.  

Of those charged this month the vast majority are recidivist offenders and two have received bail by the ACT Magistrates Court.  

In establishing this taskforce, ACT Policing aims to address the following: 

 

  • The increased risk to the community due to the driving behaviours of offenders regardless of a police presence. 

  • The increased risk to the community, offenders and police due to the unpredictable and dangerous lengths offenders are reaching in order to avoid arrest.  

  • The significant diversion of police resources to respond to dangerous driving events - which affects our ability to support the rest of the community. 

  • Offenders showing a total disregard for both personal and public property, including deliberately causing damage to stolen vehicles and police vehicles to avoid apprehension.  
     

Operation Toric brings together dedicated resources from the Proactive Intervention and Diversion Team, Road Policing, General Duties and Intelligence Teams. 

Chief Police Officer Gaughan said that the taskforce’s mission is simple.  

“The dedicated officers in Operation Toric will put every hour of their work towards bringing each and every dangerous driving offender to justice,” said Chief Police Officer Gaughan.  

“They will focus on offenders driving stolen vehicles who willfully and without any care for themselves, their passengers, the community and responding police, put themselves and all other road users at significant risk through their driving behaviour.  

“Since July last year 29 police vehicles have been deliberately damaged by offenders. In each of these incidents police and the public have been put in grave danger.  

“We are warning drivers who commit these reckless and illegal acts – that your behaviour will not be tolerated.  

“The taskforce will be relentless in its mission – ensuring that those who believe they are above the law, are arrested and placed before the court for their actions.” 

 

For journalists: Broadcast quality video of this incident can be downloaded from Hightail. (This link will expire in seven days.)

Media enquiries 

Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au 

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