Surfers Paradise bar boss Tim Martin calls for youth wandering party precinct to be sent packing

A Surfers Paradise bar boss wants to see youths wandering the party precinct after dark sent packing after the stabbing death of a 17-year-old.

THE Surfers Paradise bar lobby boss wants youth wandering the party precinct after dark asked for proof of nearby accommodation – and sent packing if unable to provide it.

Surfers Paradise Licensed Venues Association president and veteran nightclub boss Tim Martin yesterday said tackling the problem of youth running amok on the Gold Coast and in the party precinct needed to be tackled immediately.

Mr Martin said he also supported tourism boss Paul Donovan’s call in yesterday’s Bulletin for airport-level security screening at Helensvale train station which links to the light rail into Gold Coast tourism hubs.

Tim Martin wants young people sent packing if they can’t prove they’re staying nearby. Picture: Jerad Williams

“We have had so many issues at train stations and hear over and over kids are being rolled and bashed at train stations. It’s quite clear where the problem is coming from,” Mr Martin said.

“It’s not like we are overrun by these kids but we need to get on top of it now,” Mr Martin said yesterday.

“These kids have no reason to be 50km away from home after 7pm at night. They can only be up to no good. So if you have no proof of accommodation here then you should be sent straight back – you’re not welcome here at night,” Mr Martin said.

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“They are only there for one thing – looking for trouble.”

Destination Gold Coast chairman Paul Donovan said demanding proof of accommodation “may be a little harsh”.

“But I value Tim’s opinion. I think he is a responsible person and I do value his input,” Mr Donovan said.

Jack Beasley was killed in Surfers Paradise. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

“With that we could capture good people as well. We have to keep in perspective there are a lot of good people who come to the precinct. The troublemakers are in the minority but it’s a problem.”

Mr Martin said nightclubs which conduct random metal detection scans of patrons would also step those up after the death of Gold Coast’s Jack Beasley, 17, allegedly killed when stabbed with a hunting knife just after 8pm, on Friday, on the outskirts of Surfers Paradise.

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Nicolinis Italian restaurant boss Toni Celona, whose head chef ran across the road to comfort Mr Beasley as he lay bleeding on the footpath, yesterday suggested police needed to beef up patrols on the outskirts.

Mr Martin agreed, saying central Surfers and nightclub strip Orchid Avenue had plenty of security, police and CCTV: “We don’t think there is a war out there that we need to be panicking about but we just know there is an issue”.

Family and friends continue to mourn the 17-year-old. Photographer: Liam Kidston

“We have heightened security, a high police presence, cameras everywhere. We are well protected where we are. but the outskirts is something we’d like to have looked at.

“These kids are certainly not doing it in front of nightclubs across the road from police station. It's happening on the outskirts for a reason.”

Surfers Paradise Safe Night Out – combining licensees and emergency services – has had security guards patrolling the outskirts every Friday and Saturday night into the small hours looking for early signs of any trouble for the past year.