Phillip Island hit with wave of Schoolies incidents

Phillip Island has been hit with a wave of assaults, criminal damage, illegal bonfires and smashed glass during Schoolies.

With the second week of Schoolies well underway in Phillip Island, the area has been hit with a wave of incidents including assaults, criminal damage, smashed glass and illegal beach bonfires.

This comes after a brawl on Cowes foreshore on November 28.

Senior Sergeant Andrew O’Brien told The Bass Coast News there have been a few assaults related to Schoolies.

An 18-year-old girl hit another girl across the head with a bottle in Sambreros Tex-Mex Cantina in Cowes on December 4.

The suspect hasn’t been identified and investigations are ongoing.

Another assault took place on Thompson Ave in the early hours of December 6.

A Schoolies bonfire on Phillip Island beach. Picture: Facebook

The victims were Schoolies but the offenders were ‘toolies’.

Investigations for this incident are also ongoing.

Phillip Island locals have complained about fireworks, illegal bonfires and smashed glass.

Mary Harnan said she felt “so sad” seeing the mess around the town.

“The island is so beautiful and I feel privileged to live here but seeing it being treated with disrespect like this is extra sad,” Ms Harnan said.

“An adult, child or animal could be seriously hurt.”

Sen-Sgt O’Brien said the “poor behaviour” annoying police most was smashed glass on foreshores, ovals and streets.

“That behaviour has been absolutely appalling,” he said.

“I think for the first time in several years we have seen a decline in the attitude of the attendees in regards to their behaviour towards police and other support services trying to help them and that’s simply disappointing.”

A Bass Coast Shire spokeswoman said council have removed rubbish.

“Our Outdoor Crews have been on location for several hours each morning, to remove rubbish and debris,” she said.

“The Jetty Triangle area has received a thorough clean with a high pressure water treatment this week, which will be repeated next week.”

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