Police report drop in property offences since Mackay youth crime co-responder team launch

Mackay police have reported an eight per cent drop in unlawful use of motor vehicle offences.

Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Mackay police have reported a five per cent drop in unlawful entry offences and an eight per cent drop in unlawful use of motor vehicle offences, coinciding with the launch of a youth crime crackdown.

Co-responder teams of police and youth justice workers have engaged with almost 170 young people since they began patrolling the streets of Mackay this year in a clampdown on youth crime.

The $5.2 million initiative was expanded to Mackay in mid-March, after being introduced in five other locations around the state last year.

Mackay police Superintendent Glen Morris said there had been a reduction in property offences, of which there were higher numbers of juvenile offenders committing those offences, during the current financial year.

“What we’re seeing so far this current financial year, there’s been a reduction in property offences across the district, a five per cent reduction in unlawful entry offences and an eight per cent reduction in unlawful use of motor vehicle offences,” he said.

Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard said teams were working hard to stop crime before it occurs, reduce anti-social behaviour in public places and channel young people to support services.

“In Mackay, the co-responders are focusing on the peak period of Wednesday to Saturday, patrolling the CBD and other parts of the city,” Ms Linard said.

Co-responder teams of police and youth justice workers have engaged with almost 170 young people since they began patrolling the streets of Mackay. Picture: Nicholas Falconer

The latest data shows in the 12 months to December 30, 2020, the number of 10 to 17 year olds in Mackay charged with at least one offence has dropped by almost five per cent compared to the preceding 12 months.

“Many of our programs in Mackay, including restorative justice conferencing, behaviour intervention programs and bail support services, are getting young offenders back on track,” Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert said.

“But we also know that in Mackay 10 per cent of young offenders commit 44 per cent of youth crime, which is why a new co-responder team was formed to boost our efforts.”

Critics of the co-responder program have accused the state government of taking up police resources to “babysit” young offenders.

Superintendent Glenn Morris said the Mackay model involved a youth justice support worker and one police officer drawn from the existing investigative unit across eight shifts per week.

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Originally published as Police report drop in property offences since Mackay youth crime co-responder team launch