Watch: Teenage girl tries to escape major Qld police youth crime blitz

More than 40 people, including a teenage girl, have been charged as a Queensland Police taskforce targeted youth offending across Brisbane, including activity at a major shopping centre. SEE THE VIDEO

Video has emerged of a teenage girl trying to escape from police as a Queensland task force blitz targeted youth crime across suburban Brisbane resulting in more than 40 people charged.

Specialist investigators from Taskforce Guardian, alongside local police, charged 42 people on 175 offences during the blitz, which also saw activity at a major shopping centre targeted during patrols.

Police arrested 21 youths on 87 offences as well as three adults on five offences in Brisbane’s north during the operation between February 26 and March 8.

While police also apprehended 17 juveniles on 81 charges as well as an adult on two offenders in Brisbane’s south between February 26 and March 6.

Police say most offences were in relation to break and enters, stolen vehicles and bail offences.

The blitz included proactive patrols, bail compliance checks, assisting with investigations and engaging with the community.

Police also released vision of the taskforce’s deployment, which saw a 14-year-old girl allegedly attempt to flee from a Carina Heights address during the execution of a search warrant on March 4.

Queensland Police's Taskforce Guardian targets youth offending across Brisbane. Picture: QPS

She was charged with 13 offences, including obstruct police, assault police officer, enter premises and commit indictable offence, wilful damage, stealing and trespass.

Her police bail was refused and she was due to appear before Brisbane Childrens Court on March 5.

Queensland Police's Taskforce Guardian targets youth offending across Brisbane. Picture: QPS

Footage also included Taskforce Guardian officers completing street checks on a group of youths, who were involved in anti-social behaviour at Westfield Chermside on March 4.

According to police, Taskforce Guardian has been deployed on 58 occasions around Queensland since May 2023, resulting in more than 1100 people charged on 3400 offences.

Queensland Police's Taskforce Guardian targets youth offending across Brisbane. Picture: QPS

Youth Crime Taskforce Acting Assistant Commissioner Andrew Massingham said Taskforce Guardian would continue to target serious youth offending across the state.

“We want our communities to feel safe and we will continue to utilise a number of strategies and initiative, such as Taskforce Guardian, to curb youth offending and bring offenders to account.

“The borderless nature of the Taskforce enables police to respond swiftly and provide immediate support to targeted areas that need it most through high visibility policing, bail checks, engagement and diversion for at-risk young people and community engagement.

“I want to assure the public that we hear their concerns and have police out there on the ground day and night, working to protect them.”