- The Gold Coast youth co-responder team has marked more than two years of operation in helping to stop crime before it occurs
- The team of police and youth justice workers has interacted with young people more than 6,000 times, as it patrols the streets and other areas
- The number of co-responder teams across the state has been expanded this year to 13, as part of the Queensland Government’s boost in investment for intervention, diversionary and rehabilitation programs.
A dedicated crime prevention team of police and youth justice workers on the Gold Coast has marked more than two years of operation, with more than 6,000 interactions with young people since its first patrol.
Minister for Youth Justice Di Farmer has met with members of the co-responder team and one of their partners, Anglicare, which provides vital support to young people and families to tackle the complex causes of crime.
The co-responder team works 24/7 to put community safety first by engaging with at-risk youth and those on court orders, particularly in areas where young people gather, and across Queensland there is a 95 per cent compliance rate.
The initiative complements other services, including intensive case management of young people at high risk of reoffending, an Intensive Bail Initiative to help them comply with bail conditions, education and parenting support, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, and detention if there is an unacceptable risk to community safety.
In the past year there has been a 28 per cent decrease in the number of proven offences on the Gold Coast by 10–17 year olds; and a 12 per cent decrease in the number of offenders.
Statewide, the number of 10-16 year-old young offenders decreased by 34 per cent in the past decade; and 30 per cent in the past five years. There is now a hard-core cohort of 20 per cent committing 54 per cent of crime by young people.
The team of 12 works across all Gold Coast suburbs, interacting with young people on the street, at parks, shopping centres and in their homes to prevent crime.
Examples of their work include transporting young people to a place of safety late at night and helping those affected by domestic violence or drug addiction.
The team also helps young people and their families, connect to services and supports aimed at reducing offending, including mentors, education and training.
Checks are also done to ensure young people are complying with bail conditions.
The co-responder initiative is in 13 locations across Queensland after being expanded to Mount Isa, Toowoomba, the Fraser Coast, Ipswich and South Brisbane.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Youth Justice Di Farmer:
“This team dedicates itself to working day and night for the Gold Coast community to prevent crime before it happens, and to stop the cycle of youth offending from beginning in the first place.
“Speaking with young people at a park or shopping centre, on the street or in their homes, could mean police won’t meet them in the courthouse or the watchhouse.
“Anything we do to tackle youth offending also needs to address the underlying complex causes of crime, which is exactly what co-responders do when they partner with services such as Anglicare and others.
“And while it’s notable there has been a decline in the number of young people offending, one victim is one too many so it’s an area where we can never rest.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon:
“Ultimately, this is not only benefiting young people, but the wider community.”
“We have seen the co-responders create a unique balance between compliance monitoring, while also being a support network to young people and families, particularly after-hours.”
Quotes attributable to Anglicare service manager Tahnee Ledgerwood:
“Our developed partnerships with youth co-responder teams allow us to identify and focus on young people who are beginning to come to the attention of police.
“Our teams are able to intervene early with a collaborative response and we have seen positive outcomes for young people and their families, which can alter their trajectory and, in turn, increase public safety.”
Quotes attributable to Police acting detective inspector Chris Tritton:
“The Gold Coast youth co-responder teams have been successfully operating in the district for two years now, and in that time we have seen some terrific outcomes.
“We know by focusing on our interactions with at-risk and high-risk kids – and building a positive rapport with them – we can make the most of early intervention strategies and prevent future youth crime from occurring.”
Gold Coast youth co-responder team leader Louise Anderson:
“Since coming together, we’ve spent a lot of time interacting with young people after business hours, because we know that’s when crime is more likely to occur.
“It means we can respond whenever needed, including in the middle of the night, to young people who are in crisis or on the verge of getting into trouble with the law.
“Time and again we have seen positive results when we work together on a co-ordinated response, including getting the help of support services.”
