Toowoomba youth crime data revealed as CatholicCare Social Service launches new program to tackle problem

New data has revealed how many young offenders in Toowoomba are getting caught while on bail as a newly launched program aims to intervene with at risk youth.

Finding a solution to Toowoomba’s youth crime problem has been no easy feat, but a new program hopes to make a difference in the lives of young people at risk of becoming entrenched within the youth justice system.

The program comes as police and social services work to target property crime across the Darling Downs.

Data released by Queensland parliament has revealed that almost a third of young people caught offending in the Toowoomba local government area were on bail at the time, and that on average 28-36 young people commit an offence every month.

Of those, between 10 to 15 go on to commit further offences while on bail.

Data from the Toowoomba local government area revealing the number of youth offenders and youth offenders who were on bail at the time of the offence.

The figures were revealed after Toowomba North MP Trevor Watts submitted a Question on Notice to Children and Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard.

“The community expect those who commit and then recommit crimes whilst on bail to be held accountable for their actions, therefore the judiciary need the Palaszczuk Government to strengthen the legislation,” Mr Watts said.

“We need to make sure the next generation don’t follow the examples they see. We as a community need to ensure services are available to help the next generation be a part of our community not against it.”

Working to help intervene and support young people at risk of becoming lost within the justice system, CatholicCare Social Service, in partnership with four other community groups, has launched the Community Helping Adolescents with New Group and Endeavours program.

While in the early stages of getting off the ground, CatholicCare deputy director Zoe Locke said the CHANGE program was aimed at supporting Toowoomba teenagers between 12 and 17 to make better choices and build connections with the community.

“Often young offenders feel marginalised, they may have disengaged with school or have experienced significant trauma and need support,” she said.

“The question is how do we provide them that support and links to the community. To make better choices they need connection with people, mentors, their culture, they need life skills and confidence.

“The CHANGE program is about trying to support young people make better choices in their lives as well as provide an opportunity and support to make community connections.”

CatholicCare Social Service Community Helping Adolescents with New Growth and Endeavours project youth workers (from left) Gavin Turnbull, Luke Yuginovich, Peta Horton and Stacey McCarthy. Thursday, August 18, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The program recently received $246,000 in grant funding from the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs, the second largest grant in the $1.4 million in state government funding to support young people who are or could become high-risk offenders to change behaviour and form community connections.

Ms Locke said while there were other social service groups aimed at reducing youth crime, the CHANGE program would address a gap in the community for flexible support.

“After hours are when young people get distracted and can fall into offending behaviour,” she said.

“What we want to do is aim for long term sustainable change. Sometimes programs or funding is targeted at short term goals, but that doesn’t mean every child is going to immediately change or take one step forwards, two steps back.

“We want to work with young people to help make sustainable change to choose a different path, to become positive and engaged community members.”

Originally published as Toowoomba youth crime data revealed as CatholicCare Social Service launches new program to tackle problem