Cops boost amid schoolies fire fear

Police will man Torquay’s station 24 hours a day amid CFA fears that Schoolies Week is a fire threat.
Victoria Police has announced it will send extra police to Torquay to increase the station’s operation from 16 hours a day during the celebrations, officially starting Monday.
Victoria Police youth affairs Inspector Steve Sodden urged residents to report crime during the week.
“Unacceptable noise levels, drink driving, hoon activity, excessive liquor consumption and anti social behaviour will be the key focus of police,” Insp Sodden said.
However, officers were not out to be “fun police” during the celebrations, he said.
“We understand that young people want to let their hair down and celebrate the end of their year 12 studies but they also need to be very mindful of residents and ensure their activities do not disrupt the community.”
Insp Sodden urged school leavers to be wary of older people called ‘toolies’ trying to crash the celebrations.
Toolies have built a reputation at the Gold Coast Schoolies Week for preying on the younger school leavers.
Insp Sodden urged schoolies to report harassment at the hands of toolies.
CFA manager John Mealia warned that young people partying in large groups were a fire risk.
The organisation was alerting real estate agents, landlords and parents to the danger, Mr Mealia said.
“We cannot emphasise enough how serious this fire season is,” he said.
“Many young people will be staying in a dwelling in an unfamiliar area and if they are intoxicated they will be at a greater risk if an emergency occurs either within the house or externally.”