Taskforce Guardian deployed to Rockhampton to target youth offending

A push is underway for government funding for some locals to upgrade home security and install cameras. It comes as a teen allegedly assaulted a 61-year-old. VIDEO

A former Rockhampton mayor who is running as an independent for the state seat of Rockhampton has started a petition for government funding for local pensioners to better protect themselves from crime.

Almost a victim of crime herself, Margaret Strelow said people who lived close to residential care facilities were feeling the pressure of youth crime in the community.

“I acknowledge Rockhampton police have done a fairly good job,” she said.

“The fact it is not escalating is commendable, but it doesn’t make it any easier for the people who week after week have cars stolen, homes broken into and feel unsafe in their own homes.

“We’ve had someone try to get in our home, thankfully they didn’t make it.

“There’s no excuse for the sorts of behaviour we have seen.”

Mayor Margaret Strelow.

Ms Strelow, who is running in the 2024 state election, said pensioners in Townsville, Toowoomba and other cities in Queensland were able to access up to $10,000 of support from the state government to upgrade their home security and install cameras.

She has created the petition pushing for the state government to extend the program to the Rockhampton region.

“If this is available in some places but not here, that’s not fair,” she said.

“It would be an easy thing to allow our pensioners to get.”

Ms Strelow also has other ideas for addressing youth crime, as well.

She said she would like to see programs like Project Booyah “give greater power to the staff who are managing them” and “look at more long term and permanent solutions”.

“An alternate situation where there is a permanent carer who builds relationships rather than people who are paid to come and go might also be a better way of solving the problem,” she said.

TEEN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTING 61-YEAR-OLD

Vehicle theft and home break-ins have been identified as key community concerns in the Rockhampton region, with police apprehending 19 juveniles on 71 charges.

Surge response team Taskforce Guardian was deployed to Rockhampton between March 11 and March 19 to target youth offending and anti-social behaviour.

Taskforce Guardian works alongside expert Youth Justice workers and frontline police to target recidivist property offenders and bolster community safety through numerous engagements such as street checks, bail checks, breaches of bail and warrants.

Police apprehended 20 people on 77 offences, including 19 young people on 71 charges.

Most charges related to stolen vehicles, break and enters and bail offences.

A 17-year-old Rockhampton City boy was arrested in relation to an alleged assault of a 61-year-old man in Rockhampton on March 16.

A video released by the Queensland Police Service showed a 17-year-old Rockhampton City boy being arrested in relation to an alleged assault of a 61-year-old man in Rockhampton on March 16.

He was charged with one count each of serious assault person over 60 and stealing.

He was remanded in custody and was due to appear before Rockhampton Children’s Court on March 18.

A 13-year-old Berserker boy was arrested in relation to the alleged wilful damage of a number of vehicles at a business in Rockhampton earlier in March.

A 13-year-old Berserker boy was also arrested in relation to the alleged wilful damage of a number of vehicles at a business in Rockhampton earlier in March.

He was charged with one count each of wilful damage and trespass and was due to appear before Rockhampton Children’s Court on March 19.

Leonie Mulheran was caught up in a terrifying attempted carjacking ordeal at the hands of youths. Picture: Nigel Hallett

A 14-year-old boy was sentenced in the District Court in Rockhampton in March for his role in an attempted carjacking in Rockhampton on the evening of August 3, 2023.

The boy had pleaded guilty on February 25 to one count each of unlawful use of motor vehicle, attempted robbery in company and stealing and was ordered to 18 months probation with no criminal conviction recorded.

The court heard the victim of the attempted carjacking, single Queensland mum Leonie Mulheran, had been so traumatised she could no longer work “fully” and had to spend “a lot of money to get her treatment”.

SAFER TOGETHER WRAPS UP

Safer Together, a Queensland-first community safety pilot, has wrapped up in Rockhampton. Picture: QPS

Safer Together, a Queensland-first community safety pilot, also wrapped up in Rockhampton, with hundreds of residents taking part in a variety of crime prevention talks and workshops in March.

Safer Together provided opportunities for residents to engage with local District Crime Prevention and use strategies aimed at reducing home and vehicle theft, which were identified as key community concerns through surveys and workshops.

The safety initiative also promoted a greater sense of community, with resources tailored towards seniors, caregivers and new Rockhampton residents.

A crime and community safety workshop held on March 21 proved popular with dozens of attendees, with positive feedback about the Safer Together resources and information provided during the workshop.

A crime and community safety workshop was held on March 21. Picture: QPS

Acting Inspector Ben Wiltshire provided a local crime update while police officers ran through layered security assessments with members of the community.

Community Safety Group Acting Superintendent Rob Fleischer said it was great to see the Rockhampton community engage with Safer Together and access crime prevention support.

“We encourage the community to work with us and engage with crime prevention support to make sure you and your property are best protected,” he said.

“By regularly assessing our home security, introducing targeted security measures and changes to our everyday behaviours you can help keep your home safe.”

“VICTIMS ARE NEVER TO BLAME”

Capricornia District Officer Acting Superintendent Mark Burgess.

Capricornia District Officer Acting Superintendent Mark Burgess said crime prevention was a shared responsibility between police and members of the public.

“Local police work hard to protect our local community and we welcome assets such as Taskforce Guardian into our region to strengthen our response to youth crime,” he said.

“Capricornia police will continue to undertake protection and enforcement activities however it is also important that community members work with us.

“By accessing crime prevention resources, engaging in community workshops and fostering connections within the community, residents can play a pivotal role in helping safeguard their neighbourhoods.

“I want to reiterate victims are never to blame for crimes and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to account for their actions. However, through collaborative efforts, there are proactive measures we can take to enhance safety and deter opportunistic offending.”

Originally published as Taskforce Guardian deployed to Rockhampton to target youth offending