The Queensland Police Service has launched Operation Yankee Forge in Cairns, a six-month enhanced statewide operation aimed at reducing victims of crime and targeting offenders who cause the most harm in our communities.
Police are forging ahead into the streets and suburbs of Cairns and throughout Queensland, targeting high-harm offending in high-crime locations. Focusing on unlawful use, robbery and unlawful entry offences, police will be highly visible preventing, disrupting and investigating crime.
The operation is locally led and centrally coordinated, leveraging the knowledge and experience of police officers who know their communities best. Specialist capabilities will be drawn upon by the district for greater support, with the State Flying Squad set to be deployed in Far North District imminently.
Operation Forge will build on the success of Operation Xray Everdeen in Cairns which focused on targeting high-risk offenders causing harm in the community.
More than 2,060 offenders have been charged with 6,953 offences during Operation Xray Everdeen since its launch in August 2025. Offences include unlawful use of a motor vehicle, enter dwelling and commit, robbery, stealing, burglary, domestic violence offences, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. During the 5,905 police wandings (handheld metal detectors) police seized 39 weapons.
During his first week as Acting Commissioner, Brett Pointing APM visited Cairns to launch Operation Forge and commend police on the success of Operation Everdeen.
“We’ve seen great results from Operation Everdeen, and I anticipate we will continue to see this during Operation Forge,” Acting Commissioner Pointing said.
“The operation will be rolled out in Far North District and simultaneously across the state, tackling crime and forging strong community connection.
“The QPS is committed to combating crime that impacts everyday Queenslanders.
“I want to send a clear message to criminals – if you cause harm in our communities, you will be held to account.
“I would like to thank our people for the incredible work they do each day and for their unwavering support to their communities during this operation.”
Speaking to Operation Everdeen’s achievements, Far North District Officer Chief Superintendent Kevin Fitzgibbon said the results to date show the great work of police officers and commitment to disrupting offending.
“These officers live and work in this community, and work tirelessly to keep it safe and hold offenders accountable,” said Chief Superintendent Fitzgibbon.
“We know that taking both a high-visibility and covert approach to identifying and preventing crime is key to reducing the number of victims and the fear of crime.
“We will continue these proactive activities during Operation Forge, including bail compliance checks, wandings and engaging with the community.”
Evidence of Everdeen at work
Everdeen has increased safety on Carins streets by preventing, investigating and disrupting offenders:
Stolen vehicle
On 24 February, PD Duke was deployed to Mooroobool after a Hyundai i30 stolen from a Bayview Heights the night before was abandoned on Mestrez Street.
PD Duke tracked a 16-year-old Manunda boy and a 17-year-old Edmonton boy to a nearby property.
The 16-year-old boy was charged with two counts of unlawful use of motor vehicle and one count each of enter dwelling and stealing. He was refused bail to appear in the Cairns Childrens Court on 25 February.
The 17-year-old was charged with one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle. He is due to appear in the Cairns Childrens Court on 4 March.
Post and boast of stolen vehicle
On 12 February, a 16-year-old boy was charged after he allegedly posted videos on social media from inside a Toyota Rav4 stolen Manoora home on 28 December, and while driving a stolen Audi Q5.
He was charged with two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle at night and publish on social media.
He is remanded in custody and is due to appear in the Cairns Childrens Court on 27 February.
On 18 February, Edmonton Police and Police Dog Duke were called after a Hyundai i20 was stolen from a Barney Street address overnight on 17 February. PD Duke tracked a 16-year-old boy through bushland near Shaft Street and he was taken into custody. He was charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and possessing dangerous drugs. Two girls aged 13 and 16 were arrested earlier in the day and were charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
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Officers from Cairns Property Crime Unit and Tactical Crime Squad arrested six people on ten offences on 12 February. It will be alleged that in the early hours of the morning, the group broke into a home on Rigg Street, Woree and stole a Toyota Camry. The vehicle was later located on Barnard Drive, Mount Sheridan where three people were arrested. Three 17-year-old girls, one 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy have all been charged with one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle in company. The five teenagers are scheduled to appear in Cairns Children Court on 18 February. An 18-year-old man was arrested in Manoora and has been charged with two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and two counts of attempted enter dwelling with intent. He has been remanded in custody and due to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on 13 February.
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A 16-year-old boy has been charged by Cairns Property Crime Unit after he was arrested at a Westcourt address on 12 February. It will be alleged a Toyota Rav4 was stolen from a Manoora home on 28 December and an Audi Q5 was stolen from a business on 20 January. It will be further alleged the boy published videos on social media from inside the stolen Rav4, and driving the stole Audi. He has been charged with two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle at night and publish on social media. The boy was denied bail and due to appear in Cairns Children’s Court on 13 February.
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An 18-year-old White Rock man was arrested by the Tactical Crime Squad on 18 February after allegedly breaching his bail conditions. He was charged with one count each of obstruct police officer, possession of a knife in a public place, and breach of bail. He was remanded in custody to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on 12 March.
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A 15-year-old Bungalow boy was arrested by the Tactical Crime Squad in the early hours of 23 February. It will be alleged the boy was part of a group involved in the theft of a Subaru XV from Manunda, a Hyundai accent from Mount Sheridan, a Toyota Rav4 from Gordonvale and a MG3 and Hyundai Sante Fe from Whitfield between 10 February 10 and 23 February. It will also be alleged the boy was involved in the theft of fuel from a Mulgrave Road service station. The boy was charged with five counts of unlawful use of motor vehicle and one count of stealing. He was denied bail and is due to appear before the Cairns Childrens court on 10 March.
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PD Duke was deployed to Mooroobool on 24 February after a Hyundai i30 stolen from a Bayview Heights the night before was abandoned on Mestrez Street. PD Duke tracked a 16-year-old Manunda boy and a 17-year-old Edmonton boy to a nearby property. The 16-year-old boy was charged with two counts of unlawful use of motor vehicle and one count each of enter dwelling and stealing. He was refused bail to appear in the Cairns Childrens Court on 25 February. The 17-year-old was charged with one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle. He is due to appear in the Cairns Childrens Court on 4 March.
