Townsville Stronger Communities Action Group
Headed by Inspector Glenn Doyle, the group comprises senior representatives of key agencies to provide a whole-of-government response to youth crime.
The group targets identified repeat offenders and coordinates services for at-risk youths and their families.
About us
The Townsville Stronger Communities Action Group is a multi-agency group made up of seven senior representatives from seven different government agencies.
We were formed in late 2016 to help break the cycle of youth crime by dealing with the underlying issues that lead some young people to offend.
This can include poor school attendance, mental health concerns, drug and substance misuse, domestic violence and family dysfunction.
These issues don’t fit neatly into the traditional boundaries of one department, which is why we coordinate and connect a range of services across government and non-government agencies for young people and their families.
Our representatives are from:
- Queensland Police Service
- Department of Justice and Attorney-General
- Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services
- Department of Education and Training
- Department of Housing and Public Works
- Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
- Queensland Health.
We are co-located with the Queensland Police Service’s Rapid Action and Patrols team in Condon.
About our work
Below is some of the day-to-day work of the action group.
Improving the transition of 17-year-olds in adult prison
The action group works with 17-year-olds in custody at the Townsville Correctional Centre to improve their transition into the community. Many of these teens have been in prison for months, and sometimes more than a year.
Our work involves connecting them to professional support services before and after their release.
These services typically include accommodation providers, mental health professionals, vocational education and training organisations, and youth support workers.
We also arrange work experience for 17–year-olds with interested businesses to ensure they gain exposure to workplaces and potential job opportunities.
Childrens Court early response service
This early intervention service reaches out to families experiencing difficulties with anti-social behaviours and delinquency.
This service targets 10–14 year olds who are attending Childrens Court, but who are not yet entrenched in the criminal justice system.
To reduce the risk of re-offending, we give families the opportunity to be assessed and connected to relevant professional support services.
Re-engaging children in schooling
We understand the critical role that schooling plays in putting children on a positive path.
We strive to re-engage children in mainstream schooling or connect them to alternative educational facilities where appropriate.
Health assessments
Many at-risk children have underlying physical and mental health issues.
As part of our work, we organise health and mental health assessments for children and their families, and connect them to therapeutic interventions and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Addressing housing concerns
To address anti-social behaviour, we work closely with the Queensland Police Service to identify public housing properties that are subject to repeat visits from the police.
We also help families relocate to more appropriate accommodation as a response to domestic violence or negative peer groups.
Monitoring street checks
We regularly review Queensland Police Service street check data to identify young people frequently roaming the streets late at night.
This enables us to identify children that may need additional support.
Contact us
Email: Townsville.strongercommunities@psba.qld.gov.au
Phone: 4789 9550
The plan is a whole-of-government effort to address youth crime in Townsville.
The five priority areas reflect the need for both a short-term intensive targeted policing response while addressing the underlying causes of youth crime.
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Frequently asked questions: Townsville youth crime
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Queensland Government media statements on actions being taken to tackle crime in North Queensland.
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