The Ipswich Youth Co-Responder Team (YCRT) has marked its first year, conducting more than 7,200 engagements with at-risk young people, their caregivers and stakeholders, to help enhance community safety in the region.
Launching in Ipswich in July 2023, the program was designed to see specially trained police officers work alongside youth justice experts as part of an early intervention and prevention initiative to proactively connect with young people who are at-risk of or have come into contact with the youth justice system.
YCRTs work around the clock, conducting a range of early intervention activities including bail compliance support, transporting young people to safety, connecting young people and their families to support services, including those that assist with housing, health, domestic and family violence, education, and employment, and helping them explore diversionary pathways.
In their first year, the Ipswich YCRT has had nearly 2,500 engagements with young people, as well as 4,700 interactions with family members and stakeholders.
YCRTs are a joint Department of Youth Justice and Queensland Police Service (QPS) initiative, and have rolled out in 13 police districts since 2020, with plans for teams to be established in the final two police districts - the Sunshine Coast and South West.
YCRTs play an important part in breaking the cycle of youth offending and are one of a series of QPS and partner agency strategies working to make meaningful change, support young people, reduce victimisation, and enhance community safety.
Ipswich YCRT Hub Co-ordinator Detective Acting Sergeant Belinda Phillips said that she is proud of the team's dedicated efforts to guide young people over the past year.
"Seeing what young people have achieved with the support of our youth co-responders is incredibly rewarding," Detective Acting Sergeant Phillips said.
"The Ipswich community is full of dedicated people, organisations and services that help give young people and their loved ones the tools to re-engage in school, work and community.
"Together we have seen really positive progress from some young people ceasing or decreasing offending, and others getting the support they need for housing, education, health and much more.
"Our team look forward to continuing to support the region, with the aim of reducing youth offending and increasing the sense of safety across Ipswich community."
Ashleigh Harrington Ipswich YCRT Team Leader for the Department of Youth Justice said YCRTs were demonstrating how government agencies can work together to reduce offending and protect the public.
"The Ipswich YCRT is a highly effective example of bringing together evidence-based youth justice and policing skills to ensure young people and their families are receiving the support they need to keep the community safe and prevent re-offending."
YCRTs currently operate in 13 locations, with plans to expand to the South-West and Sunshine Coast.
