Qld cops to crack down on youth gangs

Queensland police have launched a crackdown on youth gangs after an uptick in violent assault, weapons offences and fraud in the state's southeast.

Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith is leading a new task force, which started work on February 14 but was officially unveiled on Thursday.

He says a small cohort of people in their teens to mid-20s from a diverse range of backgrounds are behind a rise in serious personal violence, property, weapon and serious fraud offences, as well as public disturbances.

"Some of the crimes we're seeing are opportunistic crimes or inter-gang crimes, therefore the task force is committed to responding to this unacceptable and unsafe behaviour before it escalates any further," Det Supt Smith said in a statement.

He said police would work with community groups and government departments to prevent and deter youths at risk of joining gangs and to help those who want to leave.

"We know the underlying drivers of these crimes are complex including social disadvantage and disengagement," Det Supt Smith said in a statement.

"This cohort of youths are drawn together for various reasons and at times are involved in serious crimes. It is this behaviour we need to address collectively."

Taskforce Uniform Knot will include police, community organisations and community leaders in Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich and the Gold Coast.