Schoolies given good report card after four arrests
Schoolies revellers on the Gold Coast have been congratulated with the overwhelming majority keeping out of trouble and just four arrested for minor offences.
The first weekend of Schoolies on the Gold Coast saw the majority of partying teenagers doing the right thing, with only four arrests. Queensland Police Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon said four Schoolies and eight non-school leavers were arrested on the weekend for 17 minor offences.
These include drug possession and public nuisance incidents like urinating in public and drunk and disorderly behaviour.
“In the scheme of things, it’s not serious,” he told reporters on Monday.
“People can take a lesson from those and move on.”
Supt Hanlon said the number of arrests remained low and were “very good numbers”, showing Schoolies revellers so far were having fun but being respectful.
“Considering it’s the Gold Coast on a weekend, we think that’s a very good result,” he said.
“So thank you to the Schoolies who are doing the right thing.”
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Police are also wanding for knives under Jack’s Law – named after a teen who was fatally stabbed on the Gold Coast – during the celebrations, with 295 adults and 172 kids checked for weapons.
Supt Hanlon said two knives, a set of knuckle dusters and a fold-back knife were seized from people who weren’t Schoolies.
The wanding will continue throughout Schoolies celebrations until December 1.
The two-week event will see more than 20,000 teens descend on the popular tourist destination to celebrate the end of 13 years of school.
