Taskforce Guardian cracks down on teen crims

A team of detectives flying into Cairns has collaborated with expert youth justice workers to arrest 49 hardcore young offenders on 141 charges in less than 10 days.

A crack team of detectives flying into Cairns has collaborated with expert youth justice workers to arrest 49 hardcore young offenders on 141 charges.

Between October 21 and October 30, Taskforce Guardian focused on targeting serious juvenile repeat offenders actively committing robbery, property crime and bail offences throughout Cairns.

The taskforce works with key support services and local resources to engage at-risk youth with programs geared toward positive change, improving health and education alongside referrals into disability services and first nations initiatives.

Detective Superintendent Sonia Smith updates the media on Task Force Guardian Operation. Picture Emily Barker

The team recently deployed to Cairns was made up of two local officers, one Townsville officer and four that had been flown in from Brisbane.

Far Northern regional crime co-ordinator Detective Superintendent Sonia Smith said Taskforce Guardian was an asset to the region in cracking down on youth crime.

“That team of people are not just detectives, but also youth justice workers in the community working together to tackle issues,” she said.

Task Force Guardian talk to Smithfield State High School students at a Spence St bus stop. Picture: Queensland Police

“Because we know underlying youth crime is a number of social issues, and we know that we need a whole of community approach to everything we do in relation to youth crime.

“And our aim is to break the cycle.”

Body worn vision released by police shows officers speaking with two girls in school uniform at a Spence St bus stop before investigating breaches of bail at a Murray St social housing complex, arresting a boy for pulling a knife on Pease St and the alleged theft of alcohol.

Task Force Guardian officers make inquiries about alleged breach of bail offences. Picture: Queensland Police

Run in conjunction with the taskforce across two days, Operation Victor Saturation has co-ordinated high-visibility patrols of crime hotspots during peak periods, with a focus on engaging with repeat and emerging youth offenders to address anti-social and criminal behaviour.

Across two-day Operation Victor Saturation, 34 people were arrested on 93 charges including 26 young people on 77 offences.

A Queensland Police Service arrests a boy on weapons charges in Cairns. Picture: Queensland Police

This resulted in 128 ongoing investigations being finalised.

“The outcomes of this deployment reiterate the benefits of having a rapid response team at the ready to further enhance the work by our dedicated frontline police,” Detective Superintendent Smith said.

Taskforce Guardian wraps up in Cairns this week before moving to Townsville.

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Originally published as Taskforce Guardian cracks down on teen crims