Police have arrested 10 teenagers in 10 days on 121 charges in relation to more than 40 property offences across the Sunshine Coast since last month.
The Sunshine Coast Child Protection and Investigation Unit (CPIU) established Operation Cornmeal to identify, find and arrest a number of juveniles after multiple reports of break and enters and stolen cars during August and September in suburbs including Maroochydore, Birtinya, Buderim, Alexandra Headland, Maleny, Wurtulla, Coolum Beach, Peregian Beach, Castaways Beach, Mount Coolum, Kuluin, Caloundra West, and Diddillibah.
Since 2 September, dedicated investigations have led police to find and arrest 10 teenagers.
Sunshine Coast CPIU Officer in Charge Detective Senior Sergeant Kerri Della-Vedova said police take incidents of serious recidivist youth offending seriously and are committed to seeking justice for victims.
“Through Operation Cornmeal, the community can be assured that we’re working to identify, locate and arrest young people who choose to repeatedly commit offences on the Sunshine Coast,” Detective Senior Sergeant Della-Vedova said.
“CPIU detectives will continue to target this high-level offending which causes harm in our community.
“While our Sunshine Coast Youth Co-Responder Team and Youth Engagement Hub are also working to engage with and divert young people at-risk of offending or just starting to commit crime, with the aim of reducing offences into the future.”
Multiple charges have been brought against a 14-year-old Baringa girl, a 14-year-old Sippy Downs boy, a 15-year-old Buderim girl, a 17-year-old Bli Bli boy, a 16-year-old Pacific Paradise girl, and a 13-year-old Currimundi girl.
Investigations are ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact police.
