Media Release

Day two of Gold Coast Schoolies 2009

Police are praising the behaviour of school leavers on the Gold Coast overnight with a drop in the number of arrests and offences for Schoolies 2009.

A total of 118 people were arrested, with 30 of those schoolies participants.

Among the number of schoolies charged, 27 were male and 3 were female.

Crowd numbers overnight were lower than this time last year, with around 20,000 young people attending.

The large proportion of schoolies were arrested for public nuisance, drunk and street offences.  Three schoolies were also charged for drug offences.

Superintendent for the Gold Coast District, Jim Keogh said there were 88 people arrested on 92 charges, which were not schoolies related and were mainly for public nuisance and drunken behaviour offences.

“I’m pleased to see that there was less alcohol-fuelled behaviour overnight, but I’m urging anyone who isn’t a school leaver to avoid schoolies activities,” Superintendent Keogh said.

“Its important schoolies remember their wristbands. If they don’t have a wristband and their ID, they won’t be allowed in to the precinct.

“Although we’ve had some good weather in the past 24 hours, the ocean can still be dangerous at night.

“I’d like to remind schoolies to always swim between the flags and remember that swimming in the dark or when affected by alcohol is dangerous,” he said.

“I’m also encouraging schoolies to be mindful of their behaviour while staying at their accommodation. Police will be working hard to intervene early in any problem situations which may arise.”

“Also a timely reminder to everyone about drinking in a public place.  In Queensland it is illegal to consume alcohol in the street or other public location.  Police have issued a large number of liquor SETONs in the last 24 hours for this offence and will continue to do so throughout the week,” Superintendent Keogh said.