Worrying trend: Police called to seven Ipswich school attacks in October, allegedly

Police are routinely being called to a number of alleged violent incidents at private, primary and state schools across Ipswich, as the worrying trend of ‘fight club’ culture continues.

Police have been called to at least seven alleged attacks across Ipswich schools in the past month.

The trend of alleged violence has not dissipated since The Queensland Times reported local police launched an investigation into confronting videos of ‘fight club’ brawls in September.

In July, a Bremer State High School teenager was taken to Ipswich Hospital with minor head injuries following a brawl.

An hour earlier that day, police were called to Booval’s Sacred Heart Primary School after a student was involved in a fight while armed.

Neither incident was recorded by police as schools tend to deal with most incidents in-house.

A police spokesman said local officers are currently investigating an incident at a Springfield Lakes’ school on October 27.

A police spokesman said the alleged attack, involving two students, happened near Springfield Central State High School before 4pm.

A Education Queensland spokeswoman said SCCH held the safety of its students and staff as one of its highest priorities.

“The incident is being managed in line with the school’s student code of conduct,” she said.
“Guidance officer support is available at the school for any students who may require it.”

Springfield Central State High School. Picture: Google Maps

According to Queensland Police statistics, officers were called to three alleged violent incidents at or very near the school in October – up from four over a six-month period from March to August.

Officers were also called to attacks at a range of schools across the district within the same timeframe, including a private school, a special needs school and state schools.

Police attended St Edmund’s College, Bremer State High School, Springfield Central State High School and Goodna Special School all within October after being notified of an alleged assault.

When contacted in August about police responding to more than 350 incidents across southeast Queensland schools, a Department of Education spokesman reassured the community state schools are one of the safest places for young people.

“Any situation that threatens the wellbeing of the entire school community is treated seriously,” he said.

The spokesman said the size of a school population contributed to the different rates of incidents reported.

“Depending on the situation and assessment of risk, principals may determine it is necessary to contact the Queensland Police Service to seek further assistance or report a serious incident,: he said.

Ipswich police are often called to alleged violent incidents at schools but shopping centres, licensed venues, and the Ipswich Hospital are other public spaces dealing with aggression.

Last month, three people were allegedly assaulted at the Riverlink Shopping Centre, the Orion Springfield Central Shopping Centre and the hospital.

Police reported 235 alleged assaults across the local government area in October - an average of more than 58 per week and eight each day.

Over the past six months 1300 assaults were reported in Ipswich, compared to 1900 in Logan and 3000 in Brisbane.