- A new youth co-responder team has hit the streets of Ipswich to help break the cycle of youth crime in Queensland
- Co-responder teams are made up of police and youth justice workers who patrol the streets together to improve community safety
- Five new co-responder teams have been established around the state, as part of an additional $100 million investment in community safety, and intervention, diversionary and rehabilitation programs to tackle youth crime in Queensland
A youth co-responder team made up of police and youth justice workers has hit the streets of Ipswich, working 24/7 with at-risk youth and young people on court orders to help break the cycle of youth crime.
It’s part of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to investing in community safety, tackling the complex causes of crime and targeting serious repeat offenders.
The Ipswich team is one of five new co-responder teams now established in Queensland, as part of a $100 million package to expand early intervention, diversionary and rehabilitation programs to deter young people from offending.
The teams consist of police and youth justice staff who patrol the streets and other areas, engaging with young people, families and the community.
Since starting in Ipswich on 1 July, there have been more than 180 interactions with at-risk young people.
Across Queensland, compliance with directions given by the teams to young people is 95 per cent.
The teams also provide practical support, including de-escalating conflicts, transporting youth to safety, interacting with support agencies, and exploring ways to divert young people from the youth justice system.
Young people are also connected with the right services to turn their lives around, including housing, health, domestic and family violence, and education.
Co-responder teams have been progressively established around the state since 2020, interacting with young people more than 66,000 times. The five new teams are in Toowoomba, Ipswich, South Brisbane, the Fraser Coast and Mount Isa. They join teams operating in eight regions from Cairns to the Gold Coast.
Quotes attributable to Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer:
“Co-responder teams work to stop crime before it happens.
“Every time they engage with a young person, not only is it an opportunity to stop them from reoffending, but they also get to check on their welfare.
“We need to target the root causes of offending – and that’s exactly what co-responders do.”
Quotes attributable to Commander of the Youth Crime Taskforce Acting Assistant Commissioner George Marchesini:
“The youth co-responder teams complement the work of our police who work tirelessly to prevent, disrupt, respond to, and investigate youth crime.
“Youth co-responder teams deliver a concentrated effort to ensure young people don’t progress towards becoming serious repeat offenders.
“We know that by focusing our interactions on building positive relationships with young people, we can have meaningful impact on their potential future offending.
“The work of the youth co-responder team doesn’t occur in isolation. It’s done in conjunction with other initiatives in the Ipswich area that will address youth crime.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Ipswich Jen Howard:
“The new Ipswich youth co-responder team is working with young people in the region 24/7, helping to put them on the right path.
“For example, if young people are engaging in anti-social behaviour in a public space, the team can transport them home or to a safe place.
“They will ensure young people are complying with bail conditions, link them to services, and make sure they find safe housing and pathways to education.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum:
“We are investing an extra $100 million in early intervention and diversionary programs, including increasing the number of co-responder teams in Queensland.
“While there is more work to be done, I’m incredibly proud of our co-responders and the strides they are already making to keep our communities safe.”
Quotes attributable to youth co-responder acting team leader Brooke Sanders:
“The Ipswich youth co-responder team will operate 24/7, helping to prevent youth crime before it happens by supporting at-risk young people and their families.
“Youth crime often happens outside business hours, which is why it’s important we have a dedicated team ready to respond anytime, anywhere they are needed.
“I’m sure the Ipswich team will have a positive impact in the region, both for young people and the wider community. We can all help make a difference to keep our communities and our kids safe.”
