Taskforce Guardian alongside Gold Coast police have charged 42 people with 115 offences during a double-deployment across the Gold Coast.
Two Taskforce Guardian teams, comprising specialist investigators and expert youth justice officers, worked alongside local police across both the Northern and Southern Gold Coast areas targeting active recidivist offending, finalising investigations, and conducting high-visibility patrols and operations across public transport to disrupt, deter and prevent offending and protect the public.
Between 12 and 20 August, 36 young people were arrested on 96 charges and six adults on 19 offences, while 31 young people were diverted from the youth justice system.
Taskforce Guardian charged a 17-year-old male in relation to a vehicle stolen from Yarrabilba on 28 July, which was located on August 3 during a prior Taskforce Guardian deployment in the Logan District.
That day, Taskforce Guardian charged a 15-year-old boy in relation to the incident and dealt with a 12-year-old boy under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.
Further investigations lead police to attend a Logan property on August 16, where Taskforce Guardian engaged with the 17-year-old boy and his caregivers.
He has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and learner driver must be supervised and was expected to appear before Beenleigh Children's Court on August 19.
On August 15, Taskforce Guardian alongside the Rail Squad, Rapid Action Patrol team, Queensland Rail and Translink staff conducted a high-visibility disruption operation at Helensvale rail and bus station.
Nine people were arrested on 21 offences during the operation, while 45 commuters were engaged with and 25 were scanned under Jack's Law.
Gold Coast District Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon said that Gold Coast police will utilise all resources available to strategically disrupt offending.
"The extra boost in boots on the ground from Taskforce Guardian allows us to tactically target key areas with a high-visibility presence to deter and prevent offending," Chief Superintendent Hanlon said.
"Our focus is on keeping our communities safe and Taskforce Guardian is another tool for local police to utilise in enhancing our proactive disruption of youth offending.
"This is the Taskforce's second deployment to our district, and we are committed to continuing joint efforts to enhance community safety on the Gold Coast."
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