Advertisement

Fears over Peppy Grove party

Ready for trouble: WA Police hold fears over a planned party. Picture: Lincoln Baker/The West Australian

Police have warned students they will not hesitate to shut a party planned for the Peppermint Grove foreshore, which last night had a guest list of more than 700 people.

Cottesloe officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Neil Morton-Smith said he alerted local schools, including Presbyterian Ladies' College and Scotch College, about tonight's planned party.

The "first week of school" event, created on Facebook on February 1, initially invited about 400 people but by Friday afternoon had 728 RSVPs.

Sen. Sgt Morton-Smith said the gathering was not illegal but an event that size in an area that was unsuitable could result in serious problems.

"Sometimes these things arise from Facebook and the attendance is not what's indicated, but nonetheless we will be there to monitor the situation," he said.

"These are clearly going to be juveniles and we need to monitor that very closely and there is obviously no drinking, for anybody, let alone juveniles, so if we see that sort of thing, we will be quick to move them on and shut the whole thing down."

Sen. Sgt Morton-Smith said parents aware their children might be going to the event should try to stop them.

PLC principal Beth Blackwood contacted parents of both senior and middle school students yesterday, saying the event should be treated with concern.

"We have no specific indication of how many of our own students may have indicated their intention to attend but such large gatherings have the potential to get dangerously out of hand, with personal safety and reputations at risk," she wrote in an email.

"This is perhaps a timely reminder of the challenges to guiding adolescents safely through the years when peer and social media influence can lead them into uncharacteristic behaviour as well as the need to be vigilant.

"Conversations about such activities cannot start early enough."

Methodist Ladies' College principal Rebecca Cody echoed similar concerns in her email to parents.

"Such gatherings are worrying on a number of levels, not the least being the dangers associated with crowds and the effects of alcohol on young people's choices and behaviours," she wrote.

"Regrettably, sometimes adolescent girls succumb to pressure from peers; they may behave uncharacteristically in situations such as these.

"Perhaps this communication also represents an opportunity for you to discuss as a family the short and long-term risks associated with succumbing to such pressure."