A dedicated firearms taskforce has already undertaken at least 15 property searches across Launceston within two weeks of forming.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The taskforce was established following a series of gun-related crimes across the district, with at least 11 incidents involving firearms being discharged within a seven-week period.
Detectives were now searching homes daily, and on some days, multiple properties, in multiple suburbs. As of Friday, police had seized at least five illegal firearms.
While the searches also uncovered some stolen property, and drugs, the taskforce remained focused on getting illegal guns off the streets. During the search operations, police had also been utilising the state's firearms and explosives detection dog.
Launceston CIB Detective Inspector Craig Fox said the searches were based on intel provided to police, and so far, they had received a significant amount of information from members of the public.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"The taskforce is still in its early days, but we have already received quite a lot of help from the community, which has either lead us in a new direction or strengthened information we previously had," he said.
They included shots being fired at Invermay, St Leonards, Youngtown, Rocherlea, Mayfield, Ravenswood, and in Balfour Street in Launceston. At least five of those cases had already been cleared by police, with charges laid.
While the majority of the incidents involved people known to each other, Detective Inspector Fox said some of the shootings had put members of the public at risk.
In one example, shots were fired into a home in the CBD, while the residents were asleep inside. In another case, shots were fired into the back of a car, which was parked on the side of a public road, and the driver was still inside the vehicle.
A third incident left a man in hospital suffering serious injuries, after he was shot outside his own home, on a suburban street. A man has since been charged over that incident.
"Shots fired in the vicinity of any person is a serious concern for Tasmania Police " Detective Inspector Fox said.
"Whilst any crime is taken very seriously by police, the incidents of other crime in the North has seen significant reductions from last year. For example, all burglary offences have seen a substantial reduction."
The taskforce will continue indefinitely, and a permanent firearms amnesty remains in place.
Anyone with information about illegal firearms can contact police on 131 444, or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.examiner.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @examineronline
- Follow us on Instagram: @examineronline
- Follow us on Google News: The Examiner