Glenorchy Mayor Sue Hickey speaks out amid unfounded rumours of gang violence

Glenorchy Mayor Sue Hickey has denounced the rampant speculation and social media rumours about gang violence and anti-social behaviour supposedly planned in her community.

Glenorchy Mayor Sue Hickey says rampant “speculation” on social media drove fear in her community this week amid seemingly unfounded rumours of gang violence. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Glenorchy Mayor Sue Hickey has denounced the “rumour, innuendo, and speculation” that put her community on high alert this week as social media posts fuelled concerns about rumoured anti-social behaviour and gang violence in the Northern Suburbs.

Schools and retail stores tightened security and police ramped up patrols in the area on Wednesday amid erroneous suggestions on social media that bashings and possibly riotous behaviour were planned.

It came as police maintained a high visibility presence due to a spike in youth crime during the school holiday period.

Glenorchy Inspector Jason Klug and Glenorchy Mayor Sue Hickey earlier this week.

Ms Hickey said no incidents were reported on Wednesday, despite the rumours.

“I’m dismayed that rumour, innuendo and speculation peddled on social media had this sort of impact on our cities,” she said.

“We should not let a minority group of people who do the wrong thing define our places. Driving fear and scaremongering is not what our communities need or deserve.

“It is frustrating to see sports training and afternoon activities cancelled when what we actually need is to maximise opportunities for young people to be actively and positively engaged.”

Social media posts claiming knowledge of plans for violence on Wednesday.

Ms Hickey said she had spoken with people who had been victims of crime and understood the “lasting impacts they have, not just on one or two people, but entire families and communities”.

“Yesterday’s speculation played on those emotions, and I am truly sorry to anyone who was impacted by this,” she said.

The mayor urged anyone with “credible information” about criminal behaviour to contact police directly instead of airing it anonymously via social media.

Originally published as Glenorchy Mayor Sue Hickey speaks out amid unfounded rumours of gang violence