Pilbara Target 120 program to expand as State Government addresses escalating youth crime

The Target 120 early intervention program — which is already in operation in Port Hedland and throughout the Kimberley — will be expanded to Newman and Karratha as part of a $11.1 million State Government Budget spend. Announced by Simone McGurk on Tuesday, some $2.5m will be allocated to the Pilbara expansion, which aims to support young people who are at risk of becoming repeat offenders and their families — helping to steer them away from the criminal justice system. The extension of the program is part of a wider, $11.1m Statewide program which will see the program rolled out to eight new regional sites. The State Government has also invested $2.5m in Operation Regional Shield this State Budget — which enables additional police capability to be deployed to any part of regional WA as necessary to tackle juvenile offending. Child Protection Minister Simone McGurk said the program had proven “extremely successful” in supporting the State’s most at-risk children. “Around half of the young people involved have had no further contact with police, and the expansion of Target 120 in the Pilbara will help build safer communities,” she said. “Target 120 focuses on high-risk young people who have already had contact with Police and works intensively with them and their families to help turn their lives around. “The McGowan Government is committed to improving the lives of young people at risk of becoming repeat offenders and getting lost in the justice system.” Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel said he was pleased to see the program’s expansion.