Tasmania Police’s Operation Saturate taskforce is increasing patrols across Hobart, targeting known and recidivist offenders. 

“In the lead up to Christmas, Tasmania Police’s Operation Saturate taskforce members will be increasing patrols across Hobart, targeting known and prolific offenders,” said Detective Acting Inspector, Rick Newman.

“Originally set up as a three-month trial in 2018, Operation Saturate achieved significant results, and we’re confident through good police work, our increased taskforce activities will identify offenders and prevent crime.”

Detective Acting Inspector Newman said Operation Saturate is a taskforce of experienced officers with a predominant focus on the investigation of volume crime committed by recidivist offenders. 

“By monitoring prolific offenders closely, our taskforce members know who recidivist offenders are, their habits, movements, and crime of choice. 

“Taskforce members will target known recidivist offenders, to reduce the impact of crime on our community.

“Operation Saturate is not constricted by traditional hours of duty, which gives us considerable flexibility to deploy taskforce members to hotspots as they arise, and locations our intelligence suggest are most likely to be targets of well-known criminal offenders.

“The taskforce will not replace traditional policing. Instead, it will be a supplement to the extra high visibility police patrols the Southern District are deploying in shopping precincts and on the Hobart waterfront,” said Detective Acting Inspector Newman. 

While the Operation Saturate taskforce will be increasing patrols, people are reminded of the importance of taking steps to protect belongings – both homes and cars – from burglary and theft.

“Thieves are often opportunistic and locking your property and keeping valuables out of sight are two easy steps that can prevent your belongings from being an easy target for a burglar,” said Detective Acting Inspector Rick Newman.”