Thefts in ‘schoolies warning’

Erin Pearson
TORQUAY Police have warned residents to be “vigilant” as schoolies head to the Surf Coast after dozens of thefts during last year’s end-of-school celebrations.
Acting Senior Sergeant Adrian Bickley said police were preparing a summer crackdown on “unsocial and illegal” behaviour as thousands of secondary school leavers prepared to gather on the coast.
Detective Craig Blunt, of Torquay Criminal Investigations Unit, revealed that last year police charged two Tasmanian women residing in Corio with breaking into 40 unlocked cars and stealing “a large amount of property” during schoolies.
Another culprit was still on the loose after breaking into six unlocked homes while occupants were home, he said.
Det Blunt warned residents that the days over leaving homes and cars unlocked were “over”.
“People have to be vigilant and make sure they lock cars and homes and don’t leave property such as wetsuits and boards in front yards,” he said.
“It’s good that people feel safe but over the summer period there’ll be a large influx of non-Surf Coast residents and locals need to be aware of this.”
Det Blunt said police were initiating the crackdown now in time for summer.
Violence was also a concern, he said.
“We don’t want to see sexual and physical assaults. We don’t want people to become victims.”
Det Blunt said police were also warning visitors against having glass or fires on beaches and sleeping in cars.
Sen Sgt Bickley said So You Know posters across the Surf Coast would warn visitors of on-the-spot fines for various infringements.
“If you’re drunk and violent in a licensed premise and refuse to leave that’s a straight-up $478 fine and I don’t know of any school leavers who could afford that. If you buy your underage mate alcohol, that’s a $717 fine.
“We want to get the message out there that we want people to have a good time but if they stuff up there will be police out and they will be fined.
“There will be zero tolerance.”
Snr Sgt Bickley urged residents to dial 000 rather than the Torquay station if they needed immediate police help.
Schoolies generally runs between November 21 and December 11.