(Photo: QPS)
January 6, 2025
The State Government announced $15.452 million funding on Monday to secure the future of the Youth Crime Taskforce, a key part of Queensland Police’s crackdown on youth crime.
The funding will support 16 full-time staff for the next four years to co-ordinate the Taskforce which targets the most serious youth offenders.
A government spokesperson said the commitment would deliver certainty for the Taskforce to continue its operations – and with the Making Queensland Safer Laws in effect – would give police the strong laws needed to be effective in tackling youth crime.
The funding will support operations targeting high-harm offending such as Taskforce Guardian and Operation Whiskey Legion.
Youth Crime Co-Responder teams will also become permanent.
The teams aim to empower young people to make positive choices to reduce the number committing offences.
Premier David Crisafulli said setting the Taskforce in stone was another step towards unlocking the grip the youth crime crisis had on Queensland.
“For Queensland to successfully unravel a generation of youth crime we need permanent laws and a permanent policing presence,” Premier Crisafulli said.
“Today’s announcement means the Youth Crime Taskforce can focus on the survival of Queenslanders, not looking over its own should for its own ongoing survival,
“Adult Crime, Adult Time gives the Taskforce the tools it needs to make our community safer and this decision locks in the resources to focus on closing the revolving door on youth criminals.”
Police Minister Dan Purdie said the funding worked hand-in-glove with stronger laws to empower police to do their jobs effectively.
“The Crisafulli Government has secured $15 million in funding to support the front-line and enforce the toughest youth crime laws Queensland has ever seen,” Minister Purdie said.
“The fact Labor failed to fund the Taskforce into the future is more evidence they didn’t take youth crime seriously.”
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Raw video of two recent QPS arrests:
On January 1, a 14-year-old boy was arrested near Broadway Street, Cherbourg. He was charged with two counts of unlawful use of motor vehicle and enter dwelling with intent and was remanded to appear in Children’s Court.
Later that night, a 20-year-old man was arrested after allegedly running from police. Officers from Cherbourg, Murgon and Darling Downs Tactical Crime Squad waded into a flooded creek to get the man.
He has been charged with enter dwelling with intent, failure to appear in accordance with undertaking and four counts of obstructing police. He was refused bail and was remanded to appear in court.
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