Battling youth offending

With existing measures seemingly having minimal effect on perpetrators of youth crime, a 24/7 youth co-responder team was introduced to Toowoomba last weekend in an effort make a positive difference.

In Toowoomba to launch the team last Saturday, new Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer said it was one of five new co-responder teams being established across Queensland, alongside Mount Isa, Hervey Bay, South Brisbane and Ipswich. Teams already operate in Townsville, Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton, Moreton, Brisbane North, Logan and the Gold Coast.

Co-responder teams consist of police and youth justice staff who patrol the streets and engage with young people at local parks and shopping centres, on the street or in their homes, day or night.

They transport young people home from places of risk or if they’re engaging in anti-social behaviour, find missing children, take young people to hospital to treat injuries, connect them to vocational training and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mentors, and follow up with families in crisis situations.

They also check on young people on bail during weekends and evenings, to help ensure they are complying with their bail conditions.

Co-responder teams have been progressively established across the state since 2020 and have interacted with young people more than 60,000 times.

The Queensland Government has invested an additional $100 million into early intervention and rehabilitation programs. Continued on page 9