‘Immediate support’: New police taskforce deployed to youth crime hotspots

A new rapid response police taskforce has been established to target serious repeat juvenile offenders.

A new rapid response police taskforce has been established to target serious repeat juvenile offenders and provide immediate support to local communities across Queensland.

Taskforce Guardian involves dedicated Queensland Police detectives and expert Youth Justice (YJ) workers being deployed to key locations to assist local police efforts in disrupting youth crime offending.

The Youth Flying Squad teams are able to saturate problem-areas and, alongside local police, help foster a positive rapport with high-risk and at-risk young people.

QPS Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the “highly mobile” rapid response teams are “already seeing encouraging results”. 

“The Youth Flying Squad called Taskforce Guardian is all about supporting local police with detectives and Youth Justice workers to target the high-end offenders in hotspot locations,” she said. 

Taskforce Guardian will supplement local resources and work with key support services focusing on health, education, disability services and First Nations initiatives.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll. Picture: Steve Pohlner

State Flying Squad teams have already been deployed to various locations across the state including Townsville, Cairns, Logan, Bowen, Dalby, Ipswich, Emerald, Laidley and Wide Bay.

Since May 7, the teams focusing on youth crime have charged 162 young people with more than 448 offences including stealing, burglary, unlawful use of motor vehicle as well as assault and robbery. 

Of these, 105 young people have had proceedings commenced by way of diversionary measures.

Commander of the Youth Crime Taskforce Acting Assistant Commissioner George Marchesini said Taskforce Guardian would provide “immediate support to local police to disrupt youth offending”.

“We will continue to work day-in and day-out to address youth crime and work collaboratively with our partners in government and community to achieve better outcomes for Queensland,” he said. 

Youth Justice Minister Di Minister said: “Community safety is absolutely paramount”. 

“The teams will work with key agencies on the ground, including health, education and disability services, to continue linking young people and families to services that can help tackle the complex causes of crime,” she said. 

“This ensures there is a targeted, flexible and comprehensive response to youth offending, while providing additional support to regions across the state.”

Police Minister Mark Ryan said: “Everyone wants the same thing; we want our communities to be safe”. 

The $17 million investment in Taskforce Guardian is part of the State Government’s $446 million announced to help boost police resources, tackle the complex causes of youth crime and support community safety.