Youth Co-Responder Teams model delivered to Sunshine Coast police

Sunshine Coast police are doubling down on youth crime with the launch of a team dedicated to early intervention and to break the cycle of offending.

Youth Co-Responder Teams model delivered to Sunshine Coast police. Picture - contributed.

Sunshine Coast police are doubling down to keep the community safe from youth crime with the launch of a team and youth engagement hub to facilitate early intervention to break the cycle.

The Sunshine Coast Youth Co-Responder Team (YCRT) will have seven positions – three police officers, three youth justice officers and a police liaison officer.

The team is a joint program between the Queensland Police Service and Department of Youth Justice, where a dedicated crew of a police officers and a youth justice officers engage young people who come into contact with the criminal justice system or are at risk of doing so.

The team will work towards proactively de-escalating and problem solving where groups congregate, transporting young people to safety, connecting young people and their caregivers with support services and exploring diversionary pathways.

The team will be based in the youth engagement hub at the Maroochydore Police Station alongside school-based police officers and school support officers and neighbouring the Child Protection Investigation Unit.

Sunshine Coast Police Superintendent Craig Hawkins. Picture: File.

Sunshine Coast Police Superintendent Craig Hawkins said the youth engagement hub takes a holistic approach, targeting young people who may be just starting down the path towards offending behaviour.

“The hub houses resources that will work to address the root causes of youth crime in a sustainable and holistic way,” Superintendent Hawkins said.

“We know early intervention and restorative justice is key to addressing youth crime, giving young people the best chance at brighter futures and supporting a safer Sunshine Coast.”

Sunshine Coast Detective Inspector Chris Toohey said the hub was tailor-made for our community.

Detective Inspector Chris Toohey speaking to media. Picture: File

“Our Youth Co-Responder Team will focus on the unique needs of the Sunshine Coast – unlike anywhere else, our YCRT police will all be detectives,” Detective Inspector Toohey said.

“While they won’t be investigating crimes, the specialist skill set that a detective with experience in the Child Protection and Investigation Unit brings to the team will be key in de-escalating, engaging and strategically supporting the unique needs of the young people here on the coast.

The Sunshine Coast team is supported by a $13.55m investment, under the Queensland Government’s Community Safety Plan.

Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer chats with new Sunshine Coast Youth Co-Responder Team members Renee Martin, left, and team leader Kyla Murphy. Picture: Contributed.

Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer said their plan to reduce youth crime was working.

“The first quarter of 2024 saw a 10.7 per cent drop in overall offences committed by young people, compared to the same reporting period last year,” she said.

This follows on from police charging more than 50 Sunshine Coast juveniles with a range of offences in a serious crackdown on youth crime in the region in July this year.

In the Taskforce Guardian’s first deployment to the Sunshine Coast, police charged 54 juveniles with 77 offences. Another 31 juveniles have also been diverted from the youth justice system.

Originally published as Youth Co-Responder Teams model delivered to Sunshine Coast police