Dubbo school violence: Student fight videos posted to Instagram

Confronting videos of out-of-control Dubbo school students bashing each other and bystanders cheering them on have emerged on Instagram. WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

The emergence of a series of shocking videos on social media which show Dubbo school students bashing each other up and bystanders cheering on and encouraging the violence has prompted police to issue an appeal for information.

More than 30 videos containing fight footage are currently visible on different public Instagram pages which refer to “Dubbo fights” and encourage people to send more videos in to be uploaded.

Dubbo school students shown fighting in a video. Picture: Instagram

Bystanders can be heard giggling, cheering the fighters on and encouraging them to inflict more harm on each other in the videos which were filmed in school playgrounds, toilets, on a bus and other locations directly outside school grounds.

The videos, which were sent to The Dubbo News by a concerned parent, are being investigated by police.

“Officers from the Orana-Mid Western Police District are aware of the social media videos and are conducting inquiries,” a NSW Police spokeswoman said.

“Anyone who may have information regarding the incidents is urged to contact Dubbo Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

School students from Dubbo filmed in another fight video. Picture: Instagram

A NSW Department of Education spokesman said Dubbo College — which encompasses the city’s main public high schools — was not aware of the Instagram pages which feature the videos.

“The college has been aware of private sites posting fight footage, but was not aware of the Instagram page referred to,” he said.

“Some of the material on the page is old and the matters have been dealt with, or involves non-government school students, but the college is reviewing it to see if any further action is required.”

The spokesman said the college had a zero tolerance policy when it came to violent or inappropriate behaviour “and takes appropriate disciplinary action immediately for any cases that come to light”.

“When the college is aware of such footage it works to have it taken down by reporting it to the Department and the police.

“The college always works with parents and local police to ensure students are aware of what is expected of them and in resolving issues or taking further action as necessary.”

The school violence is not limited to Dubbo, with a recent Daily Telegraph investigation revealing violent incidents in schools across NSW had almost doubled over a 12-month period.

The Dubbo parent who raised concerns about the students involved and the fight videos declined to comment publicly.