By Savannah Meacham, Aap
Queensland police have marked the first anniversary of a specialised task force targeting youth crime in high-risk areas by declaring the crackdown is working.
Almost 1200 kids have been charged with more than 4000 offences including robbery, sexual assault and possessing drugs or weapons in Taskforce Guardian’s first year.
From 7 May 2023 to 7 May 2024, there has been six deployments, 85 young people arrested, 225 charges and 56 young people diverted in the Wide Bay District.
Meanwhile in the Darling Downs District, there has been eight deployments, 108 young people arrested, 397 charges and 46 young people diverted.
It was established amid a community outcry, comprising a rapid response team of specialist investigators and youth justice workers who help local police in hot spots.
Most of the charged children were serious repeat offenders, Acting Assistant Commissioner Andrew Massingham said.
“We’ve taken a hard line … particularly in Townsville, the Darling Downs and Mount Isa where we see people re-offend,“ he told reporters on Wednesday, 22 May.
Eleven of the state’s 15 police districts had reported a decrease in youth offending following 71 task force deployments across the state.
The other four districts were not revealed, with police yet to target them.
The Wide Bay region had the biggest crackdown, with 38 per cent less offending recorded after six deployments.
Police said they had also successfully appealed 85 per cent of court cases where bail was given for youth offenders.
The number of serious repeat offenders decreased 14 per cent in seven months which Mr Massingham attributed to kids ageing out of the juvenile system or being in custody.
Tackling youth crime has been a focus of the state government ahead of the October election, leading to new laws.
They include changing detention “as a last resort“ to “where necessary“ in the Youth Justice Act, a move critics said would lead to more children in custody.
New laws have been introduced to increase sentences to 14 years for Queenslanders tasked with protecting a child – like health practitioners or teachers – who sexually assault teens aged 16 or 17.
Support options are also available during court proceedings, like introducing expert evidence and giving children the ability to pre-record testimony.
The proposed bill would also increase non-contact orders from two-to-five years.
The government also passed laws giving victims more say with the parole board if their attacker applies to be released early.
Third-party agencies can represent victims during parole applications to prevent re-traumatisation.
If an initial parole application is refused, life-sentenced offenders cannot reapply for five years and long-term prisoners for three under the bill.
