Initiative in Rocky making shopping centres safer

• A new government initiative to make shopping centres safer will be expanded after positive early results.
• Outreach officers working with shopping centre retailers to intervene in antisocial behaviour has decreased serious incidents involving young people.
• The new Miles Government is protecting the community through effective, evidence-based intervention programs that address crime.

An evaluation of the Queensland Youth Partnership Initiative (QYPI) has shown nearly 1,000 young people have been helped, between 2020 and 2023.

The evaluation shows an increase in community safety within shopping centres with young people receiving fewer shopping centre bans and police cautions.

Security managers at shopping centres are receiving less complaints and concerns about safety, and serious incidents involving young people have decreased.

QYPI is a community partnership with retailers, youth services, security officers and police to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour in shopping centres.

The program is being delivered in Rockhampton, Coomera, Helensvale, Chermside, and North Lakes.

As a result of the review findings, Youth Justice will provide long-term funding to existing locations, and expand the program to Toowoomba. The multi-agency response de-escalates risky behaviours and promotes inclusion of young people who congregate at shopping centres.

Since 2018, eight separate program evaluations have been published to better understand not only what works, but what works for who, where and why.

Findings from the evaluations inform policy and program decision-making and improvements.

More evaluations will be delivered by the end of 2024.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Youth Justice Di Farmer:

“The government has listened to the community and the experts, and we are tackling the root causes of crimes committed by young people, investing heavily in prevention, early intervention and detention to keep Queenslanders safe, and support victims.

“These evaluations help make our Youth Justice programs are as effective as they can be.

 “We will continue to fund programs and services where the evidence shows they are effective in reducing reoffending and increasing community safety.

“If something is  not working, we will stop doing it.

“We will continue working with parents to get kids on the right path, and always support victims.”

Quotes attributable to the Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke:

“The new Miles Labor Government is investing more money into more programs to break the cycle of offending.

“We know community safety is a real concern for Queenslanders that’s why we are supporting programs like this.

“Intervening early is critical.  Keeping kids off the streets and out of trouble takes a united approach.

"We are a government that works together to provide the right programs, at the right time, to the kids who need it most.”

Explainer/fast fact and or further information:

Program evaluations are available on the Youth Justice website at https://desbt.qld.gov.au/youth-justice/evaluations

ENDS

Media contact – Gary Shipway 0458 090906