Taskforce Guardian alongside Toowoomba police have charged 22 young people with 78 offences and diverted 11 young people from the youth justice system, during the ninth deployment to the Darling Downs.
Between September 9 and 16, Taskforce Guardian partnered with local police to conduct high-visibility police patrols, finalise open investigations, target active serious offending and engage at-risk or offending young people and their caregivers with support services and agencies.
Taskforce Guardian brings together police and expert youth justice workers, who work alongside local police to tackle youth offending and bolster community safety through strategic patrols, targeted investigations, and joint operations including bail checks, community, and family engagement.
Most offences were related to property crime including stolen vehicles, assault, and break ins, along with bail compliance.
Taskforce Guardian engaged with a 16-year-old Toowoomba boy who allegedly stole a relative’s vehicle with several others on September 9, before being involved in a traffic crash.
He was charged with stealing, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and driving unlicensed and is expected before Toowoomba Children’s Court on September 26.
Two other teenage boys were dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act in relation to the incident.
The Taskforce also works with key support services and local resources to engage at-risk youth with relevant programs, focusing on health, education, disability services and First Nations initiatives.
Across 95 deployments since Taskforce Guardian commenced operations in May 2023, more than 1,800 young people have been dealt with for more than 5,500 offences with more than 800 young people diverted from the youth justice system.
Officer in Charge of Toowoomba Child Protection and Investigation Unit, Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Brent Parker said that Toowoomba welcomes the extra boots on the ground to support strategic policing activities.
“Our first priority is keeping the community safe, and Taskforce Guardian gives us support to co-ordinate resources where and when they are needed most,” Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Parker said.
“Whether that is high-visibility patrols on hotspot locations or locating alleged offenders to finalise investigations and seek justice for victims.
“We look forward to future deployments across the district, to help enhance community safety.”
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