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.
Ms Farmer said the co-responder program sees police and youth justice using intelligence to crack down on risky behaviour.
“As the new Youth Justice Minister I believe it is about striking a balance between holding offenders to account, while giving young people in the early stages of offending the chance to stay out of trouble with the law and the consequences of entering the youth justice system,” Ms Farmer said.
“Team members take kids roaming the streets and direct them into useful activities and often sometimes it’s as simple as taking kids home or to a place of care.” Toowoomba Youth Co-Responder Team Leader Brooke Sanders said youth crime often happens outside business hours, which is why it’s important that we have a dedicated team on the ground ready to respond anytime.
“The Toowoomba co-responder team will work around the clock to help to prevent youth crime before it happens by looking out for at-risk young people,” Ms Sanders said.
“Our youth justice staff and police officers are looking forward to building stronger relationships with young people, their families, business owners and the wider community.
“We can all help make a difference and keep our communities and our kids safe.” Commander of the Youth Crime Taskforce, Acting Assistant Commissioner George Marchesini said terrific outcomes have been seen from the youth co-responder program in other parts of the state and he is confident this initiative will make a real difference in Toowoomba.
This article appeared in On Our Selection News, 25 May 2023.