Police Bolster Taskforce Saturate to Target Repeat Offenders

Media release – Tasmania Police, 5 September 2023

Tasmania Police to bolster Taskforce Saturate to target repeat offenders

Tasmania Police’s Taskforce Saturate is being further bolstered to target those offenders causing the most harm to the community.

From today, four additional officers from the Hobart Police Station have been assigned to Taskforce Saturate (formerly Operation Saturate), with one clear objective, to deal with as many repeat offenders as possible.

Officer in Charge of Hobart Division, Inspector John Toohey says “there is a small cohort of people within our community who continue to do the wrong thing.”

“54 individuals have been identified and are currently wanted by police for two or more offences committed in southern Tasmania.”

“The goal of Taskforce Saturate is to target these repeat offenders, and when lawful, put them before the court.”

“Since 1 July 2023, Taskforce Saturate has arrested 124 people, with over 400 charges being laid against these repeat offenders.”

“The resulting charges include aggravated burglary, stealing, assault, breach of bail, firearm offences, drug offences, dangerous driving, evade police and disqualified driving,” he said.

Anyone who witnesses illegal or anti-social behaviour should report it to police on 131 444, or triple-zero (000) in an emergency.

Information can also be provided to Crime Stoppers at crimestopperstas.com.au, and you can stay anonymous.

Firearms surrendered at Northern Amnesty

People in northern Tasmania surrendered 23 firearms to police at mobile amnesty locations over the weekend.

“Over the past weekend, police conducted a mobile amnesty at Exeter, Scottsdale, Campbell Town, and Deloraine, for people to surrender illegal and unwanted firearms without fear of being prosecuted for the possession,” said Senior Sergeant Robert King.

“23 firearms (21 long arms and 2 pistols) and a quantity of ammunition were surrendered to police.

“It’s pleasing to see that people are taking the opportunity to surrender firearms, to ensure they can’t end up in the wrong hands.

“Our mobile firearms amnesty will continue next weekend in the south of the state. If you have a firearm that you know you shouldn’t have, please surrender it next weekend or phone 131 444 and arrange for police collection.”

The mobile firearms amnesty will be in southern Tasmania:

· Saturday 9 September – 10am to 2pm, at Bridgewater Police Station

· Sunday 10 September – 10am to 2pm, at *Glenorchy Police Station, Main Road Glenorchy (*location changed from Bridgewater Police Station).

Under Tasmania’s permanent firearms amnesty, people can surrender illegal and unwanted firearms, firearm parts, ammunition, or gel blasters that imitate a firearm, without being prosecuted for the possession.

Anyone with information about stolen or illegal firearms in the community can do their part, by providing information to police on 131 444 or to Crime Stoppers anonymously online at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000