A week-long crime crackdown with Taskforce Guardian in conjunction with Mount Isa police has resulted in 18 young people being charged with 68 offences.
Taskforce Guardian, which consists of detectives and expert Youth Justice workers, travelled to Mount Isa between 30 October and 6 November, to work alongside Mount Isa police in disrupting, investigating, and preventing youth offending to enhance community safety.
Joint investigations resulted in 18 young people being charged with 68 offences, relating mostly to property crime and bail matters.
A 16-year-old Pioneer Boy was taken into custody at Pioneer on November 2, in relation to a series of property crime offences including break ins and two stolen vehicles.
It will be alleged the boy ran from police and was taken into custody following a short foot chase.
He was charged with three counts of enter dwelling and commit, two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count each of possess dangerous drugs, receiving tainted property, wilful damage. He was expected to appear before Mount Isa Childrens Court on November 7.
Over the seven days, Taskforce Guardian officers in conjunction with Mount Isa Police conducted engagements including street checks, bail checks, breaches of bail and warrants.
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.
During the deployment, Taskforce Guardian officers engaged with business and community stakeholders who identified issues with shoplifting and stealing offences at local businesses.
Additional high-visibility patrols were deployed to deter and reduce offending at these key locations, with two teenagers arrested and charged in relation to alleged stealing offences at a Mount Isa City service station on November 2 and 5.
The borderless nature of Taskforce Guardian allows the team to deploy at any time, where support is needed most across the state.
Mount Isa Superintendent Tom Armitt said the rapid-response arm of the State Flying Squad helped local police saturate various high-crime areas as well as finalise outstanding investigations involving young people.
“Having Taskforce Guardian in Mount Isa provides us with additional boots on the ground to continue disrupting youth offending and anti-social behaviour,” Superintendent Armitt said.
“Local police are committed to utilising every resource to enhance community safety, and will continue to focus on proactive policing in Mount Isa.”
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