Taskforce Guardian has arrested 21 young people across 112 offences during its deployment in Ipswich from January 29 to February 11, disrupting youth crime and tackling juvenile recidivist offenders committing property crime and bail offences within the region.
The deployment included conducting proactive patrols in intelligence driven hotspots, bail compliance checks, assisting Ipswich police with investigations and enhancing community safety with additional police resources.
A 16-year-old Goodna boy and 15-year-old Booval boy were arrested by Taskforce Guardian officers at a Goodna property on February 1.
The 16-year-old boy was charged with 27 offences, including unlawful use of motor vehicles, stealing, receiving tainted property, unlawful use of motor vehicle (publish on social media), enter dwelling and commit and enter premises and commit indictable offence.
He has been remanded in custody and is due to next appear at Ipswich Childrens Court on February 19.
The 15-year-old boy was charged with 24 offences, including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, stealing, receiving tainted property, driving of motor vehicle without licence, enter premises and commit indictable offence, enter dwelling and commit, fraud and unlawful use of motor vehicle (publish on social media).
He has been remanded in custody and is due to next appear at Ipswich Childrens Court on February 19.
A 16-year-old Redbank Plains girl was arrested at a Redbank Plains address on January 30 and she charged with three counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, two counts of stealing and one count of enter dwelling and commit.
She has been remanded in custody and is due to next appear at Ipswich Childrens Court on February 20.
Ipswich District Officer Superintendent Kylie Rigg said the rapid response taskforce, combining Taskforce Guardian officers and Youth Justice workers, provides immediate support to the region to assist with youth offending and anti-social behaviour.
“Community safety continues to be our priority and the additional resources from Taskforce Guardian allow us to bolster our frontline with more boots on the ground to target serious repeat offenders,” she said.
“We hear the community’s frustration and I want to assure them police will do everything in our power to seek justice for victims and bring offenders to account.
“Taskforce Guardian is one of the many tools in our toolbox to combat crime in our region.
“Extra police including plain clothes and general duties officers have also been deployed and are conducting high-visibility patrols aimed at deterring anti-social and criminal behaviour across Ipswich.
“These extra patrols are complimented by the presence of our mobile police facility currently deployed at Redbank Plains shopping centre, that allows members of the public to engage and report anything that they may be concerned about in the community.
“This is all in addition to our ongoing long-term, policing initiatives, including Operation Whiskey Unison which involves wanding operations and a high-visibility police presence in key areas such as our shopping centres and transport hubs.”
“We will continue to work day-in and day-out with our partner agencies to address youth crime.”
