The Fraser Coast Youth Co-Responder Team has exceeded more than 5,000 engagements with young people at risk of offending, their families, and caregivers as it marks 12-months of operation.
The Youth Co-Responder Team (YCRT) model is a joint initiative between Queensland Police Service and the Department of Youth Justice.
Pairing a specialist police officer with an expert youth justice officer, the YCRT engages with at-risk young people and their support network to refer them to services, programs and supports to address the underlying issues contributing to their behaviour and help break the cycle of youth crime.
The Fraser Coast YCRT launched in June 2023, and up to 31 May 2024 has conducted more than 5142 engagements including 1888 with young people and 3254 with caregivers and stakeholders.
YCRTs develop relationships with young people who are offending or at risk of offending and their family, referring them to relevant support services and helping them comply with their bail and other conditions.
The development of strong relationships allows the YCRT to support young people and families in the moments when they most need guidance.
YCRTs engage with young people where they congregate, at home, and on the phone, which enables them to intervene, de-escalate and transport young people to safety.
By connecting young people and families to services, the YCRT aims to assist in addressing social issues which can contribute to offending behaviours, such as housing, health, domestic and family violence, education and employment.
Fraser Coast YCRT co-ordinator Detective Acting Sergeant Dan France said the team has had a significant impact in just 12-months.
"Our first year has seen some incredible work in establishing rapport, connecting young people to the support they need and working with partner agencies to connect them to vital services," Detective Acting Sergeant France said.
"Already we've had family reach out when they're concerned young people are offending or hanging around the wrong crowd, and we're able to immediately intervene and get that young person what they need to be in the best place to make better choices.
"While police won't shy away from taking action against young people who are putting the community at risk, our role as the YCRT is to do everything we can to stop what is causing them to offend to begin with.
"It's a long road ahead, but we are excited to see what the YCRT can continue to achieve on the Fraser Coast."
Regional Director of the Department of Youth Justice Sunshine Coast and Central Region Nicole Trousdell said that YCRTs were demonstrating how government agencies can work together to reduce offending and protect the public.
"YCRTs bring together policing and professional youth justice skills and expertise to connect young people and their families to services and supports when they need them most."
The Youth Co-Responder Teams currently operate in 13 locations, with plans to expand to the South-West and Sunshine Coast.
