Lilydale police forum hears shocking tales of youth violence

VIOLENT youth gangs and teachers attacked by primary school students are among the shocking trends detailed at a police forum in Lilydale — with the problem so out of control at one school that cops had to step in to stop daily assaults on staff.

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VIOLENT youth gangs and teachers being attacked by primary school students are among the shocking crimes detailed at a police forum in Lilydale.

The problem was so bad at one school that police had to set up a behavioural change program to stop teachers being assaulted daily.

Last week’s CommSafe forum was told the disturbing trend in teen crime — including sex offences, bullying and gang-related violence — was due to the rise of social media.

Youth resource officer Senior Constable Lisa Brooks said the behavioural change program at the problematic Yarra Ranges primary school, which she declined to name, helped the number of violent incidents to drop by 41 per cent in one term.

But she said students from the school were graduating into a nearby high school which had been plagued by sexual offences including the electronic exchange of explicit images.

At the forum, which was a trial to share information with the community, senior police were quizzed by high-ranking officers including Assistant Commissioner Rick Nugent and Victoria’s top traffic cop Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer, on issues in the region.

Yarra Ranges Acting Inspector Vin Butera said the challenge for police was teen reliance on social media as a communication tool.

“We’ve had some issues with gang-related activities in the Yarra Ranges,” Acting Insp Butera said.

“They’re using social media to form meeting points to have other clashes with kids, so that’s a real challenge for us to find innovative ways to keep on top of that.”

Speaking after the forum, Sen-Constable Brooks said police were getting calls from sporting clubs, schools and parents concerned about children’s behaviour.

“Parents are calling, beside themselves not knowing what to do,” Sen-Const Brooks said.

She said some student victims were too distraught to leave the house.