Synopsis
South Australian police have launched a new task force to tackle youth gang-related violence. This initiative aims to disrupt crime cycles and enhance community safety through prevention and rehabilitation efforts, in response to alarming crime statistics among youth offenders.Key Takeaways
- New Youth and Street Gangs Task Force established.
- Focus on violent crimes and prevention.
- 140% increase in youth crime rates noted.
- 10% of youth offenders responsible for 50% of crimes.
- Additional resources allocated for frontline policing.
Canberra, Feb 5 (NationPress) Law enforcement in South Australia (SA) has initiated a new task force aimed at addressing violent offenses perpetrated by youth gangs.
On Wednesday, SA Police unveiled the Youth and Street Gangs Task Force as part of an enhancement to police resources dedicated to tackling youth crime, domestic violence, cybercrime, and retail theft.
Commissioner Grant Stevens emphasized that the task force will not only respond to crimes but also engage in preventive and rehabilitative efforts.
"Youth crime encompasses not just criminal behavior, but the recruitment of younger members, thus the task force offers a chance to disrupt this cycle," he stated.
"This permanent task force aims to interrupt and diminish the criminal activities of a targeted group of offenders, with a particular emphasis on violent crimes that present a serious threat to community safety."
The newly formed task force consolidates two existing police operations and incorporates 13 additional police officers.
Recent data from SA Police, released in January, indicated a staggering 140 percent increase in crimes committed by individuals aged 10-17, rising from 6,938 in 2018-19 to 16,710 in 2023-24.
In response to this data, Acting Assistant Commissioner John De Candia noted the concerning trend of high rates of recidivism among youth offenders.
He pointed out that approximately 10 percent of youth offenders were responsible for nearly 50 percent of all crimes, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
This task force is part of a broader initiative that reallocates over 70 officers to frontline duties.
Furthermore, an additional nine officers will be designated to probe financial and cybercrime, while 13 more will focus on family and domestic violence cases.
On Wednesday, a man was hospitalized following a stabbing incident on a bustling street in the inner suburbs of Melbourne.
Authorities in Victoria confirmed that the injured man, in his 30s, was stabbed near a busy intersection in Prahran, located about four kilometers southeast of central Melbourne, shortly before 8 am local time, according to Australia's 9News network.
He was transported to a nearby hospital in serious condition, although his injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
Authorities have initiated a search in the vicinity for an unidentified male suspect.
