Taskforce Guardian arrests 42 people on 115 offences over 8 day operation on Gold Coast

A dedicated police taskforce has wrapped up a week-long blitz on the Gold Coast. Read the latest

Dozens of youth offenders have been arrested in a police blitz on the Gold Coast.

Taskforce Guardian returned on August 12 for an eight-day deployment of high-visibility patrols amid a fresh wave of break-ins and car thefts

Officers finalised pending investigations and conducted operations across public transport to disrupt, deter and prevent offending, a Queensland Police Service (QPS) spokesman said in a statement.

“36 young people were arrested on 96 charges and six adults on 19 offences,” the QPS spokesman said.

Plain clothes detectives patrol a Gold Coast tram as part of Taskforce Guardian. Picture: Queensland Police Service.

Among those arrested and charged was a 17-year-old boy in connection to an alleged car theft at Yarrabilba on July 28.

A 15-year-old boy was also charged and a 12-year-old boy dealt with under the Youth Justice Act in connection to the incident.

“Further investigations lead police to attend a Logan property on August 16,” the QPS spokesman said.

“Taskforce Guardian engaged with the 17-year-old boy and his caregivers.

“He has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and learner driver must be supervised.”

A further nine people were arrested and charged with 21 offences during patrols at Helensvale train station on August 15.

Officers from Taskforce Guardian wand a man at Helensvale train station. Picture: Queensland Police Service.

Gold Coast District Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon said the “extra boost” in resources was used to strategically disrupt offending.

“Taskforce Guardian allows us to tactically target key areas with a high-visibility presence” Chief Supt Hanlon said.

“This is the taskforce’s second deployment to our district and we are committed to continuing joint efforts.”

The blitz comes amid a fresh wave of car thefts and break-ins sweeping the Gold Coast with police crime data revealing 58 unlawful entry offences and 36 stolen cars have been reported over the last 7 days.

Motor vehicle theft has skyrocketed across the city with the RACQ issuing a warning to Gold Coast motorists this week to be extra vigilant following a 62 per cent increase in claims in the last financial year.

There were more than 2770 reports of unlawful use of motor vehicle across the Gold Coast Police District in 2023. It’s the highest level of car theft in more than two decades when 3180 offences were recorded in 2002.