Rowdy Rye schoolies cause $40k of damage

Schoolies have trashed a Rye Airbnb, leaving the owner with a $40,000 bill. And the police union warns lean resources means revellers are free to keep wreaking havoc.

Police and PSOs patrol Rye Beach during schoolies. Picture: Josie Hayden

Out of control schoolies have wreaked havoc across the Mornington Peninsula with one homeowner left with a $40,000 bill following a wild party.

In one incident earlier this week a Rye Airbnb was ransacked by partygoers after it was advertised as a party spot on a public schoolies Facebook page.

The home was completely destroyed with holes punched in almost every wall, doors ripped off hinges, and windows throughout the property smashed.

Knives were stabbed into walls, furniture destroyed and personal belongings of the owners smashed in an apparent deliberate act of violence.

The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal key stations including Sorrento, Rye and Dromana remain closed to the public amid an ongoing critical police resource shortage.

The increased pressure on services is believed to have led to an inability for police to keep on top of riotous activity, with school leavers free to wreak havoc across the coast, according to the owners of the Airbnb.

It is understood Peninsula police said they were powerless to do anything about the Rye home, saying no crime had been committed.

Police talk with a group of schoolies in Rye. Picture: Josie Hayden

Schoolies Alex, Johnno, Georgia, Daisy and Luke during a night out on the Mornington Peninsula. Picture: Josie Hayden

However police sources said the matter raised serious concerns and should have been pursued.

Members of the public calling the closed stations, which are still operating patrols, are being diverted to Rosebud Police station.

Police Association Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt said the staffing of frontline police stations across the state needed to be made a priority.

“Sadly, our stations at the present time are not at the strength they need to be to consistently achieve this objective,” Mr Gatt said.

“The Mornington Peninsula is a prime example of this issue.

“Increasingly, these communities are left with intermittent station closures and insufficient patrol units to meet demand. This needs to change.”

Brad Battin, Shadow Minister for Police and Emergency Services, said: “It defies logic that the Andrews Labor Government’s mismanagement has led to fewer police along the Mornington Peninsula during end of year celebrations.

“It’s no secret that every year, thousands of schoolies head to the beach to celebrate. With an increase in population, alcohol consumption and opportunities for violence, coastal towns need more police, not less.”

Tootgarook local Meg, who did not wish to publish her surname, said her usually quiet neighborhood had been surrounded by loud and inconsiderate school leavers.

“All locals have been complaining about it. We put up with it every year, and we get that the Peninsula needs it but they don’t have any respect,” she said.

“They’re all on drugs. They walk the streets all night pissed as farts and off their chops.”

Meg said many Mornington Peninsula homeowners, who wouldn’t normally rent their homes to schoolies, had done so this year because they needed money after lockdown.

Airbnb Australia head of public policy Derek Nolan said the company enforced a strict ban on gatherings of more than 16 people.

“Our message to everyone who uses Airbnb could not be clearer; bad behaviour has no place on Airbnb and those who fail to adhere to our policies face removal from our platform,” he said.

Last year 400 listings across Australia were suspended or removed from Airbnb for hosting parties and events.

A spokeswoman for Police Minister Lisa Neville said the location and deployment of police was a matter for Chief Commissioner Shane Patton.

But she insisted there was an increased police presence across the Mornington Peninsula during schoolies festivities and the summer.

“The deployment of our record 3,135 additional police officers is determined by Victoria Police using the Staff Allocation Model and includes a strong focus on coastal, regional and rural areas to ensure these communities stay safe,” she said.

“All Victorians receive a 24 hour police response, seven days a week, wherever they live. Police can and will be deployed to where they are needed, when they are needed.”

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said satellite stations at Dromana, Rye and Sorrento operated usual patrols and opened the reception when present at the station.

She said additional specialist support units had been deployed during this period, and staff levels had been “bolstered”.

“Victoria Police is providing a strong mobile presence and have bolstered staffing levels across the Mornington Peninsula to prevent crime and ensure community safety during schoolies celebrations,” she said.

“Additional specialist support units have been deployed during this period including Transit and Public Safety Command, specifically the Public Order Response Team, the Mounted Branch, Dog Squad, Airwing and Water Police.

“Additional police from across southern metropolitan region have also been deployed during this period to support our community safety operation.”