QPS Awards for Excellence
L-R: Commissioner Ian Stewart; Stronger Communities Action Group government coordinator Inspector Glenn Doyle and the group’s Department of Housing representative Vicki Miles; and Northern Region Assistant Commissioner Paul Taylor.
A local multi-agency taskforce set up to tackle youth crime in Townsville has been recognised for its work at the annual Queensland Police Service Awards for Excellence.
The Townsville Stronger Communities Action Group, headed by Inspector Glenn Doyle, took out silver for the Innovation Award.
The seven-member group was formed in October 2016 and coordinates services for young offenders and at-risk youth, as well as their families, to deal with underlying issues that lead some young people to offend. Issues include lack of school attendance, mental health concerns, domestic violence and family dysfunction.
The group’s work includes:
- connecting 17-year-olds in adult prison with professional support services, before and after their release, to improve their transition into the community
- re-engaging children in schooling
- introducing an early intervention service at the Townsville Childrens Court
- helping families to relocate to alternative accommodation to break the cycle of youth crime and family violence.
The award is a fantastic recognition of the group’s efforts to improve community safety and put young people on a positive path.
The Townsville Stronger Communities Action Group is made up of senior representatives from the Queensland Police Service; the departments of Justice and Attorney-General; Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services; Education and Training; Housing and Public Works; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships; and Queensland Health.
For more information about the group, or to contact them, visit www.qld.gov.au/Townsville.
Source: Townsville Crime Alert
