Leavers will lose their booze: police
Leavers in the South West have been warned — there will be a big police presence and alcohol will be confiscated.
This year presents a different situation for South West Police, with a number of the departing leavers 18 years or older as a result of the change to the school grade systems.
Leavers runs from November 24 to 27 and the South West is expected to be a hotspot for action, with police identifying Dunsborough, Margaret River and Busselton as popular areas for teenagers.
South West Inspector Kim Hutchinson said police had a dedicated focus on leavers’ safety and welfare.
He said people who wanted to sell illicit substances and alcohol to leavers would be targeted heavily.
“We will have a big police presence monitoring and addressing issues,” he said.
“A focus is having a policing structure that will enable us to have the capability to respond to any situation that will arise.
“If we find juveniles with alcohol in a public space it will be confiscated immediately.”
Insp. Hutchinson had some key advice for parents of children going to leavers to make sure they get the best experience possible.
“Don’t provide juveniles with alcohol,” he said.
“Be part of the planning process — be comfortable you know who they’re travelling with, where they’re going and what they’re doing.
“Set up a control regime with your child, it gives parents and their children some comfort.”
