Youth crime declining thanks to task force, say police

A targeted police task force was established a year ago, amid a community outcry over youth crime. (Queensland Police Service/AAP PHOTOS)

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.

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.

A handcuffed youth in a police car
Almost 1200 kids have been charged with more than 4000 offences in a year.

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.

Townsville - a former youth crime hotspot - recorded 30 per cent less offending following 13 deployments, the most any region received over the 12-month period.

The task force's latest blitz was in north Queensland, with back-to-back deployments in Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa over 23 days.

Overall 80 juveniles were arrested for 237 offences.

The Wide Bay region north of Brisbane had the biggest crackdown, with 38 per cent less offending recorded after six deployments.

A youth being arrested
Townsville - a former youth crime hotspot - recorded 30 per cent less offending.

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.

A youth being arrested
Tackling youth crime is a focus of the Queensland government ahead of the October election.

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.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store