Taskforce Guardian targets high risk areas in Townsville and Mount Isa

Deployments to Townsville and Mount Isa were carried out in July by Taskforce Guardian, with a number of adults and young people charged. Read the statistics here.

Across Townsville and Mount Isa a total of 34 young people have been charged for 74 offences, while other young people were diverted from the youth justice system during a task force Guardian deployment.

Taskforce Guardian is the collaboration of the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and the Department of Youth Justice in an effort to target hotspots with high visibility patrols to engage with young people and their caregivers, finalise open investigations, conduct bail compliance support and target high risk offending.

During a Townsville deployment between July 4 and July 12, two adults were charged with five offences, 17 young people were charged with 30 offences while six young people were diverted from the youth justice system.

Between July 5 and July 12 in Mount Isa, the task force charged 17 young people with 44 offences and diverted eight young people from the youth justice system.

Youth Crime Taskforce Acting Assistant Commissioner Andrew Massingham said Taskforce Guardian is helping to keep our communities safe.

Police footage of arrests in North Queensland and Brisbane.

“Taskforce Guardian has proven an incredible resource when a surge in youth offending is recorded, as we can immediately boost resourcing, target high-risk offending and intervene with young people just starting down the path of crime.

“Alongside our partner agencies, QPS has strategies tackling youth offending from every angle and we are committed to continuing efforts to protect the public.”

Since Taskforce Guardian began operations in May 2023, there have been 85 deployments across Queensland hotspot locations.

Originally published as Taskforce Guardian targets high risk areas in Townsville and Mount Isa