Taskforce Guardian Nabs Car Theft Suspect in Cairns

Taskforce Guardian alongside Cairns police has charged 55 people with 221 offences in a week-long saturation operation across Cairns.

Between November 5-12, Taskforce Guardian joined Cairns police, Tactical Crime Squad and Child Protection and Investigation Unit for its eleventh deployment to the region, conducting strategic activities aimed at disrupting, preventing and investigating youth offending.

Over the week one adult was charged on one offence and 54 young people on 220 offences, and 28 young people were diverted from the youth justice system.

Taskforce Guardian assisted in finalising 164 files, referred several young people to support services and agencies and assisted to locate a missing young person.

At approximately 7.45am on Saturday November 9, four boys aged between 14 and 17 were arrested in Manoora after running from a Kia Rio allegedly stolen from Whitfield earlier that morning.

The teenagers were charged with a total of 12 property crime offences in relation to the incident, including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, enter dwelling with intent and obstruct police.

Taskforce Guardian brings together specialist police and expert youth justice officers, who deploy to districts across Queensland to work alongside local police.

Together conducting strategic activities aimed at reducing youth offending and enhancing community safety, through co-ordinated intelligence driven patrols, targeted investigations, and joint operations including bail compliance support along with community and family engagement.

The Taskforce also works with key support services and local resources to engage at-risk youth with relevant programs and agencies, focusing on health, education, disability services and cultural initiatives.