Mornington Peninsula: Hot spots targeted in schoolies crackdown
As Year 12 students descend on the Mornington Peninsula to celebrate the end of their schooling, police are also swarming, looking to prevent a repeat of last year’s chaotic foreshore riots. This is how they’re planning to keep the peace.
South East
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School leavers began flooding the Mornington Peninsula on the weekend as schoolies festivities kick off around the state.
But after violent incidents plagued the popular coastal destination last year, police say they will increase numbers to target troublemakers.
Members of the public order response team, armed with shields and batons, were called to Rye during schoolies last year when a group of about 150 unruly youths targeted police officers on the foreshore.
The police helicopter and dog squad were also called in to help with the chaotic scenes.
But this year police will swarm popular spots along the coast, including foreshores, areas around licensed venues and accommodation sites, as they try to nullify any serious incidents.
Mornington Peninsula local area commander Inspector Janene Denton said while police understood most schoolies did the right thing there were always some who ruin it for others.
“Our message to school leavers is to celebrate safely, respectfully and responsibly,” she said.
“We know that school leavers have worked hard to earn their end-of-year celebrations but we urge them to be considerate of the community that they’re visiting.
“We will not tolerate any behaviour that negatively impacts the community.”
Insp Denton said nine people were arrested during last year’s schoolies period because of brawls and drunken behaviour.
“While we hope this poor behaviour will not be repeated, we will be ready to arrest people if they break the law,” she said.
“We will be boosting patrols to target alcohol-fuelled violence, drug offences and anti-social behaviour.
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Video emerged of youths igniting and setting off flares last year, and Insp Denton said officers would come down hard on anyone found possessing or lighting a flare.
“We are continuing to see people seriously injured from flares being lit,” she said.
“We’re urging people to think before they act otherwise they can seriously injure themselves or somebody else.”
Insp Denton moved to reassure the local community police had them in mind, too.
“While we want visitors and school leavers to have fun, these are people’s homes and they have a right to feel safe in it,” she said.
Last week, the Leader reported a stretch of Rye beach will be closed to the public and turned into a designated schoolies hangout.
Schoolies or school-leavers week celebrations officially occurs in Victoria until 8 December.