POLICE have arrested more than 150 people on a range of offences following a month-long operation targeting criminal activity in the Logan area.
Operation Sierra Abraid was carried out by officers across the district to address a spike in activity relating to stolen vehicles and break-and-enters.
The operation led to the arrest of 159 people on 286 charges. The charges related primarily to the unlawful use of a motor vehicle and unlawful entry of dwellings and business premises.
Police also impounded 13 vehicles, located 35 stolen vehicles, executed 11 search warrants and intercepted more than 430 people of interest.
Detective Inspector Tod Reid said the operation was another example of police continuing to target criminal activity, irrespective of the events and circumstances associated with COVID-19.
It comes after a Queensland government crime report published in the Jimboomba Times earlier this month showed that assault and weapons offences rose in Logan and Beaudesert last year.
Grievous assault in Logan and Beaudesert was up by 55.4 per cent in 2018-19, with 114 reported. There were 72 in 2017-18.
Serious assault, excluding grievous, was up by 21 per cent, from 186 cases in 2017-18 to 231 last year.
Unlawful entry to homes was up by eight per cent, with Logan mayor Darren Power fearing coronavirus could make the situation worse.
"I'm expecting a big jump next year as the financial crisis from the coronavirus hits," Cr Power said.
Domestic violence cases could rise as people were forced inside to isolate and alcohol sales rose.
"[I am worried by] the amount of alcohol people are buying, just because they have to do something," Mr Power said.
Detective Inspector Reid said it was unfortunate that even in these tough times, there were still people out there who would engage in criminal behaviour.
Operation Sierra Abraid was designed to target both locations and people of interest who had been identified as causing significant issues for the community around unlawful use of a motor vehicle and unlawful entry.
"Operations like this are part of our role to help keep the community safe and stop crime. Our message is clear: if you want to engage in this kind of criminal behaviour, there's a very good chance you will be caught," he said.