Doing what matters: Nation-leading Youth Co-Responder Teams model delivered to Sunshine Coast

• A new Youth Co-Responder Team has been rolled out on the Sunshine Coast as promised by the Miles Labor Government.
• First of two new teams supported by a $13.55 million investment, under the Miles Government’s Community Safety Plan, to extend the successful and nation-leading Youth Co-Responder Teams model.
• Team to engage with young people from Beerwah/Beerburrum in the south to Noosa/Pomona in the north and Maleny/Kenilworth in the west.

A new Youth Co-Responder Team (YCRT) has been launched on the Sunshine Coast, the first of two new YCRTs, along with additional capacity added on the Gold Coast, Brisbane South and Cairns, supported by a $13.55 million investment, under the Queensland Government’s Community Safety Plan.

Unlike the LNP which has nothing more to offer than a few empty populist slogans, we have real plans and the establishment of the new team marks the latest expansion of this innovative program aimed at preventing youth crime and providing support to at-risk young people.

The Miles Labor Government has invested $550 million to tackle the complex causes of youth crime, prevent offending and future offending and this is one of a package of evidence-based initiatives which are showing results. 

An independent evaluation has found the Youth Co-Responder Teams (YCRT) have been successfully rolled out across the state, and the program is contributing to reduced offending.

The evaluation also found that:

• Young people were less likely to commit serious crimes after engaging with Youth Co-Responder Teams.
• The greatest reduction in reoffending was with serious repeat offenders, which saw a 73 per cent reduction in the number of offences committed 6 months post engagement with Youth Co-Responder Teams.
• Youth responsible for an average of 25 offences in the six months before engaging with Youth Co-Responder Teams dropped to an average of 7 offences in the 6 months post engagement.
• The total number of breaking and entering; illegal use of a motor vehicle; and theft (excluding motor vehicle) offences decreased substantially.
• Most YCRT interactions occur outside of standard Youth Justice business hours, with the 2pm to 10pm shift seeing the greatest activity (49 per cent).
• Youth Co-Responder Teams were a key connecter to services:

Youth co-responder teams involve a Department of Youth Justice (DYJ) officer and a police officer working collaboratively, to engage with young people who are at risk of offending, their siblings and families and refers them to services and supports to help them address the underlying issues contributing to their offending behaviour.

The Youth Co-Responder Teams (over 140 DYJ staff with matching police resources) in 15 locations have had contacts with more than 101,000 engagements with young people since 1 July 2020.  

The Sunshine Coast YCRT district extends from Beerwah/Beerburrum in the south to Noosa/Pomona in the north and Maleny/Kenilworth in the west.

The Youth Co Responder Teams will operate on a rotating roster, interacting with young people on the street, at parks, shopping centres and in their homes to prevent crime.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Youth Justice, Di Farmer:

“Keeping Queensland communities safe is the Miles Government’s priority.

“Unlike the LNP, which has nothing more to offer than a few populist slogans, the Miles Labor government is doing what matters by supporting and investing in strategies that are proven to work.

“Our comprehensive Community Safety Plan is working.

“The first quarter of 2024 saw a 10.7 per cent drop in overall offences committed by young people, compared to the same reporting period last year.

“The number of serious repeat offenders decreased 18 per cent from 497 in October last year to 405 at July this year.

“Obviously any crime is too much crime, but we’re on the right track and we need to stay the course to keep Queenslanders safe.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Police Service Sunshine Coast District Officer Superintendent Craig Hawkins: 

“Every day our officers tackle youth offending from every angle, and we are excited to bolster our early intervention capability through the launch of our local Youth Co-Responder Team.

“The YCRT will work to support the specifics needs of the Sunshine Coast and help us engage with at-risk young people to reduce offending and potential harm to the community.

“We know early intervention and restorative justice is key to addressing youth crime, giving young people the best chance at brighter futures and supporting a safer Sunshine Coast.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt:

“The Miles Labor Government is listening 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.

“The new Sunshine Coast Youth Co-Responder Team will work to address the underlying issues contributing to offending behavior and connect young people with essential services such as housing, health, education, and employment.

“Similar to YCRTs in other regions, the Sunshine Coast team will provide practical support, including patrols of high-traffic areas, home visits, conflict de-escalation, transportation, and interactions with support agencies. “

Quotes attributable to Member for Nicklin Robert Skelton

“Early intervention programs like our Sunshine Youth Co-Responder teams make safer communities by tackling youth crime issues at a local level.

“Rather than waiting for young people to offend, Youth Co-Responder Teams engage with young people to stop anti-social behaviour and reduce the risk of them offending in the first place.

“This initiative demonstrates our commitment to early intervention and prevention strategies, leading to fewer victims of crime.

“Youth Co-Responder teams are just one of those strategies proven to be a success.”

Media contact – 0458 090 906