Twelve months ago, a dedicated team of police and youth justice workers began patrolling the streets of Brisbane’s northern suburbs to prevent and reduce youth crime.
Minister for Children and Youth Justice Leanne Linard said the Brisbane North co responder team is one of eight similar teams operating across Queensland to help keep communities safe.
“Latest figures for the Brisbane North team show they have engaged with young people more than 1,500 times since the program began,” Ms Linard said.
“This is an important service. The team aren’t waiting for crime to occur – instead, they’re helping to prevent anti-social behaviour and offending from occurring in the first place.”
The Brisbane North team patrols from Brookfield in the west to Banyo in the east, Bald Hills in the north to Brisbane City in the south.
“For the past year, the team has been working with young people, referring them to support services for issues like alcohol and drug abuse or domestic violence, and diverting them away from potential criminal behaviour,” Ms Linard said.
“We now have eight co-responder teams working across Queensland connecting and communicating with young people to prevent crime or anti-social behaviour.”
Member for Aspley, Bart Mellish said the joint police and youth justice co-responder program began in Queensland in 2020 as part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to reduce youth crime and provide coordinated responses to high-risk offenders aged 10 to 17.
“We know that around 10 per cent of young offenders commit 40 per cent of youth crime, which is why the co-responder teams are so important,” Mr Mellish said.
“Police and youth justice workers can engage with young people in their homes, on the street, at the local park or shopping centre, so they don’t have to meet them in the courthouse or the watchhouse.
“By supporting young people to re-engage in education or work, access support services and make better choices, we can make a difference in the lives of young Queenslanders.
“I’m so proud of the work being done on the ground throughout Queensland by our dedicated police and youth justice workers to combat youth crime and protect our communities.”
The co-responder initiative operates in eight regions: Townsville, Cairns, Moreton, Rockhampton, Logan, Mackay, Brisbane North, and the Gold Coast.
