The Darling Downs police district has recorded a 16 percent decrease in youth offending in 2023 compared to the previous year, as police continue efforts across multiple initiatives that are working to address youth crime.
In 2023, 4,408 offences involving young people were reported compared to 5,277 in 2022.
A 15 per cent decrease in the number of individual youth offenders has also been recorded.
In 2023, 3,950 individual young offenders were identified, down from 4,683 in 2022.
Across the Darling Downs police alongside partner agencies lead initiatives that aim to divert at risk young people from going down the path of crime and keep the community safe.
From the efforts of Taskforce Guardian in assisting local police to track down recidivist offenders, to high-visibility police patrols under Operation Whisky Unison that aim to deter, disrupt and prevent offending.
Joint efforts in the early intervention and prevention space are also beginning to make an impact, helping re-engage young people with education, training, employment and community.
The Youth Co-Responder Team model was established in Toowoomba in May last year and has since completed more than 2623 bail compliance checks, 2200 face to face engagements with at-risk youth, 2973 engagements with the families and guardians of at-risk youth, 278 street checks and 391 home visits and early intervention follow ups.
Taskforce Guardian recently completed another deployment to the region, resulting in 10 young people being arrested on 47 charges, mostly related to property crime.
There have been five Taskforce Guardian Toowoomba deployments to date since the rapid response taskforce was established in May last year.
Darling Downs District Officer, Superintendent Doug McDonald said the downward trend in young people offending was a step in the right direction.
“We know this is just the beginning of what will be a long road of persistent efforts to reduce youth crime and keep our communities safe.
“Across the Darling Downs we are working to tackle youth offending from every angle.
“Frontline police are in the community day and night patrolling, investigating and responding, supported by deployments by Taskforce Guardian.
“From the work of Youth Co-Responder Teams, PCYC programs in Toowoomba, Murgon and Goondiwindi to the launch of Toowoomba’s first Project Booyah cohort later this month.
“Each local youth program works to engage young people with support and skills that can redirect them back to education or employment.
“Safety is our key focus, and we will always take action to protect the public.”
