Schoolies 2016: Double The Amount Of Arrests Compared To Last Year (And People Are Still Balcony Hopping)

Safe to say that Schoolies has been extra wild this year, or y’know, police are just being more diligent about cracking down on leavers mischief.

According to NewsCord, a total of 71 school leavers have been arrested on the Gold Coast over the first week of Schoolies celebrations this year. This time last year there were only 37, so, nearly double the amount of arrests.

Most of the arrests are in relation to public nuisance and drug offences.

While Queensland school leavers are set to head home for well-needed rest and respite, a number of interstate Schoolies are beginning to arrive in Surfers Paradise.

Police will maintain a heavy presence there over the next two weeks.

“With the majority of interstate schoolies being 18 years of age and over, the policing strategy for the next few weeks will shift towards licensed venues,” warned Queensland Police Service (QPS).

QPS are very concerned (so are most people, to be honest) about cases of balcony-hopping.

Police report to have seen at least five cases of balcony hopping last week, one of which resulted in a hospitalisation. A 17-year-old boy fell from the second floor of an apartment balcony and is suspected to have a fractured pelvis. Teens have also been uploading videos to social media, catching balcony-hoppers in the act.

Michelle Stenner, QPS Superintendent, is disappointed about the high risk behavior from some this year. “Whether it be boredom or just plain stupidity they think it’s a smart idea to take their lives into their own hands and start balcony-hopping,” she said.

By the way, we wrote a guide on how not to get in too much trouble at Schoolies. (Which you can read here.)

To current and future leavers: Stay safe and be responsible!

Photo: iStock