Youth Crime Archives - North Lakes Today

Rugby League Program Kicks Off in Moreton Bay to Support At-Risk Youth

Rugby league is set to play a central role in a new initiative to steer young people in Moreton Bay away from crime and back into education and community life.

Read: $5K Equipment Boost for North Lakes Junior Sports

The program, delivered by Indigenous Mana and backed by the Dolphins NRL club, uses sport as a vehicle to engage at-risk youth, particularly those from Indigenous and Polynesian backgrounds.

The Indigenous Mana Academy will lead the delivery of a $300,000 Kickstarter Grant-funded program aimed at supporting at-risk youth aged 10 to 17 over a 12-month period. The initiative includes rugby league training and mentorship, cultural camps, and family engagement sessions designed to strengthen identity and community ties. It will also involve partnerships with First Nations businesses and Elders, ensuring the program is culturally grounded and community-led.

Young participants will be referred through police and local co-responders, and progress will be tracked through school attendance and a commitment to staying out of trouble.

The Moreton Bay Junior Rugby League Football Club, based in Deception Bay, is supporting the program by providing access to its fields on Government Street. The Dolphins will also contribute coaching support, with players involved in mentoring and development.

Indigenous Mana Founder and Managing Director Tania Goldsmith said the funding would play a vital role in changing young lives by tackling the underlying causes of disadvantage and helping youth access pathways to growth and success.

“We are excited to bring our program to the Moreton Bay region, which has a growing population of First Nations cultures and Polynesian young people,” Ms Goldsmith said. 

“At Indigenous Mana we believe reconnecting young people with their culture will drive their intrinsic motivation to make positive changes to their lives and create a brighter future.” 

Read: Art, Awareness, and Action: Deception Bay Doctors Unite Community Against Violence

The initiative is being rolled out across the Moreton Bay region, where organisers hope it will create lasting change by combining sport, culture and community support to help young people build a better future.

Published 23-July-2025

Teen Charged with Attempted Murder After Shooting at North Lakes

A 17-year-old girl has been charged with attempted murder following a shooting incident at Lakefield Drive, North Lakes.

The incident occurred Monday night when emergency services responded to reports of a shooting in a car park on Lakefield Drive around 9:40pm. Upon arrival, they found a 42-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his arm that also affected his chest area.

According to Queensland Police, the victim was shot after an interaction with a group of four individuals – allegedly three men and the teenage girl. The man was transported to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital where he remains in serious but stable condition.

Police investigations moved swiftly, resulting in the arrest of the teenage suspect in Riverview around 2am Tuesday morning. The 17-year-old Windsor girl faces multiple serious charges:

Attempted murder
Possessing dangerous drugs
Unlawful possession of weapons
Authority required to possess explosives

The case was briefly mentioned in the Ipswich Children’s Court on Tuesday afternoon before being adjourned to the Brisbane Children’s Court for next Tuesday. The teen remains in custody and is expected to apply for bail at that hearing.

Queensland Police have indicated that the three male suspects allegedly involved in the incident remain at large. However, authorities have stated that investigations suggest there is “no threat to public safety.”

As part of their investigation, police have seized an Audi Q5 believed to have been driven by the alleged offenders.

The shooting has raised concerns among North Lakes residents, as the area is generally considered a relatively safe suburban community. The incident occurred in a commercial district that includes various retail outlets and restaurants.

Police are urging anyone with information related to the incident to come forward as investigations continue.

Published 25-March-2025

Five Teens Arrested After Stolen Vehicle Chase in Mango Hill

Police have arrested five teenagers in connection with a stolen vehicle incident in Mango Hill after an extensive investigation aided by surveillance footage.

Read: Major Crackdown on Youth Crime in North Lakes and Surrounds

On May 22, a black BMW was reported stolen from a residence on Amaranthine Street in Mango Hill sometime between 8:00 p.m. the previous night and 3:30 a.m. that morning.

Because of Moreton Bay Council’s CCTV network, police were able to locate the stolen vehicle around 1:30 p.m. that same day near Anzac Avenue in Kippa Ring.

Three individuals were seen fleeing from the BMW, and police quickly apprehended two of them nearby. With the assistance of Police Dog Wolf and its handler, the third alleged offender was tracked down and arrested on Fleet Drive.

The suspects were identified as three boys and two girls ranging from 13 to 15 years old from the areas of Zillmere, Mango Hill, Kurwongbah, Griffin, and Strathpine. Charges filed include unlawful use of a motor vehicle, robbery, Enter Dwelling and Commit indictable offence, receiving tainted property, stealing, and fraud.

The 15-year-old Zillmere boy faces an additional robbery charge from an alleged incident on May 16 at a Maroochydore store. He was refused bail and is scheduled to appear in Brisbane Children’s Court on May 23.

The two girls, ages 15 from Griffin and 13 from Strathpine, were charged with crimes related to the alleged use of stolen banking cards from the Mango Hill residence. They have court dates set for June 7 in Redcliffe.

Read: Suspicious Fire in Mango Hill Destroy Homes

This case highlights the capabilities of law enforcement utilising modern surveillance technology and resources like K9 units to quickly track down suspects after a crime has been reported. The multi-jurisdictional coordination between different police departments was also crucial in making these arrests.

Published 27-May-2024

Major Crackdown on Youth Crime in North Lakes and Surrounds

A sweeping police operation targeting high-risk youth offenders in the North Lakes and surrounding areas has led to the arrest of 20 individuals, including 18 juveniles, on a staggering 64 charges over an intense 11-day period.

Taskforce Guardian, a rapid response unit dedicated to combating youth crime and enhancing community safety, joined forces with local police in the Moreton district to conduct a comprehensive crackdown.

From 22 April to 1 May 2024, the taskforce carried out strategic operations, including locating and apprehending alleged young offenders, monitoring bail compliance, and executing proactive patrols in identified high-risk locations.

The joint operation resulted in the arrest of 18 juveniles on 60 charges and two adults on four charges. The charges encompassed a wide range of offences, such as assault occasioning bodily harm, wilful damage, attempted robbery, stealing, and unlawful use of a motor vehicle. These arrests were made possible through targeted efforts and close collaboration between the taskforce and local law enforcement.

High-Visibility Patrols

To maintain a strong presence and deter criminal activities, high-visibility patrols were conducted at various public transport stations and shopping centres across suburbs like Kallangur, Petrie, Lawnton, Mango Hill, North Lakes, Deception Bay, and Strathpine. These strategic locations were identified as potential hotspots for youth-related offences.

In addition to enforcement efforts, Taskforce Guardian worked closely with key support services and local resources to engage at-risk young people in relevant programs and services. These initiatives focused on addressing underlying issues through health, education, disability services, and First Nations initiatives, aiming to provide comprehensive support and prevent future offending.

Community Safety Prioritised

Acting Chief Superintendent Adam Guild, the Moreton District Officer, emphasised that the operation’s ultimate goal was to ensure community safety. He stated that the taskforce’s presence bolstered frontline efforts, enabling targeted activities to disrupt and prevent youth offending.

Mr Guild also highlighted the importance of engaging with local youth, intervening early, referring those in need to appropriate support services, and seeking justice for victims by locating and arresting recidivist offenders.

The Moreton Bay police have assured the community that they are committed to addressing the challenging issue of youth crime through a comprehensive approach, combining enforcement efforts with proactive engagement and support services.

Published 14-May-2024