By Jolene Ogle
TEENAGERS as young as 14 are being punched, kicked and robbed as police warn of out-of-control beach parties throughout the Sunshine Coast, but police say Noosa’s beaches have not been affected.
Officers from the Sunshine Coast Child Protection and Investigation Unit (CPIU) have investigated a number of recent assault and robbery offences that have stemmed from large-scale teen parties on beaches at Wurtulla and Mudjimba.
A number of youths have been charged with offences ranging from negligent act causing harm, assault occasioning bodily harm and robbery in company using personal violence.
Detective Senior Sergeant Phil Hurst, officer-in-charge of the Sunshine Coast CPIU said officers had noticed a recent increase in the popularity of beach parties for youth in the area with an increase in assault and property offences.
“These parties often seem to have little or no adult supervision, and anytime this happens when you have very large numbers of teenagers out late at night with some consuming alcohol, problems can occur,” he said.
“We’ve had teens punched, kicked and robbed, a girl injured from something thrown on a bon-fire and a boy knocked unconscious. All of these are separate and serious incidents.”
Sen Sgt Hurst said the incidents were occurring between 8.30-9pm, not at 2am or 3am and some of the victims and offenders are aged as young as 14.
Police have stepped up night patrols of beach areas by both uniformed and plain clothes officers, with Wurtulla Beach appearing to be the area most affected by large-scale parties and violence.
Noosa Heads acting officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Peter Feldman said there had been no complaints of beach parties on any of Noosa’s beaches, but urged residents to remain vigilant.
“I encourage residents living near the beach area that if they do see youths congregating to let the police know,” he said.
“We would rather know about any issues before they occur rather than after things get out of hand.”
Anyone with information that could assist in any of the matters should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24-hours a day.
