Extent of crimes committed in Geelong’s schools revealed

An expert has warned of the growing issue of disengaged youth committing criminal offences, as data reveals the extent of the problem. MAPPED: Where offences are occurring

At least once every two days a criminal offence is committed at a Geelong education location, data reveals.

Criminal offences are being committed across Geelong educational settings at least every two days, with an expert warning the problem will get worse.

Investigations into an incident that forced The Geelong College into lockdown last month remain ongoing, with police revealing two teenagers arrested at the scene have not yet been charged.

Crime Statistics Agency data, obtained exclusively by the Geelong Advertiser, reveal 195 criminal offences were recorded at education facilities across Greater Geelong in the 12 months to June 2022.

On November 16, Geelong High School was put into lockdown as the school enacted “code yellow” procedures, but police said the incident did not warrant an investigation.

In August, St Joseph’s College Aphrasia St campus was evacuated after a toilet block caught fire. It’s understood no one was injured in the incident and the fire caused minimal damage.

Deakin’s Chair in Health Psychology John Toumbourou said the problem of disengaged youth is going to get worse.

In April, police cautioned a 12-year-old girl for unlawful assault in relation to a schoolyard incident at Geelong High School. Video footage allegedly shared on Snapchat showed a 13-year-old year 8 student allegedly being assaulted.

Deakin School of Psychology health psychology chair John Toumbourou said criminal incidents in schools were usually caused by disengaged youth.

“We’ve got a big problem, and it’s going to get worse,” Prof Toumbourou said.

“(Being a disengaged youth) is certainly not a healthy place to be.

“You can get to the point of feeling quite hostile to society or areas of authority.

“It can also be associated with both mental health problems but also with problems of anti-social and destructive behaviours (like criminal offences).

“When youth get to a stage where they’ve really committed to a lifestyle that involves violence – which can happen – you’re in real trouble.”

According to the data, suburbs Norlane (19), Belmont (19), Geelong (17), Corio (17), Lara (15) and Grovedale (14) had the highest total offences recorded at education locations from July 2021 to June 2022.

Property and deception offences were the most common in that period.

Acting Superintendent Michael Reid urged schools to report incidents to police, but said many of the offences in the statistics were committed outside of school hours.

“In addition to responding to incidents, police proactively visit schools to provide information to students, teachers and parents on topics relating to the law, safety and wellbeing,” he said.

Communities that Care co-ordinator Louise McDonald said schools dealing with disengaged young people should focus on promoting connectedness to try to prevent anti-social behaviour.

Acting Superintendent Michael Reid said police worked with schools to curb the anti-social behaviour. Picture: Alan Barber

The north Geelong-based program works with stakeholders, schools, parents and neighbourhoods to ensure vulnerable young people are supported.

Ms McDonald said the 2015 survey found alcohol use, school engagement and family relationships were priority areas to address.

“56 per cent said in 2015 that yes, (their parents) wouldn’t be concerned if they were using alcohol,” Ms McDonald said.

“Then in 2017, after we had done some work with year 8s in 2015, who were then year 10s in 2017, that number had gone down to 37 per cent.

“The work that we did around trying to reduce early age alcohol use, it wasn’t one single thing.”

Ms McDonald said schools dealing with disengaged youths should focus on promoting connectedness.

“I think for kids to feel like they’re connected in some way to their family and to the school as well,” she said.

“Schools should be providing opportunities for students, family and staff to have a say in decision making.

“For students to feel connected and to want to be involved, they need to experience success, whether that’s success in their school, work or things happening outside of school.

“They also need positive relationships with teachers and peers.

“That kind of success and relationships or friendships isn’t something that just automatically happens.

“Especially with Covid-19 and all the lockdowns, young people need support to develop their social and emotional health.

“For schools to promote social and emotional wellbeing is really important.”

It’s understood most incidents reported to police related to crimes against property.

A Department of Education spokesman said schools reported any offences to authorities.

“All Victorian government schools are supported through a centrally managed security system, including 24/7 alarm monitoring and CCTV coverage,” he said.

Prof Toumbourou said it was better to fund preventive programs rather than address the issue after it’s a problem.

“The solutions are there and they need to be used,” he said.

“It’s really hard if you just leave this problem to fester.

“Prevention is so much better, and it does work.”

Originally published as Extent of crimes committed in Geelong’s schools revealed