Parents are being urged to talk to their children about the dangers of attending ‘Facebook parties’.
Cairns Community Safety and Crime Prevention Co-ordinator Sergeant Cary Coolican said police have attended a number of parties over the last few weeks which have been openly advertised on Facebook.
“These parties have been large gatherings of minors with no appropriate adult supervision,” she said.
“We are asking parents and teenagers alike to use common sense. These parties have no security and we have needed to shut down a number of them due to excessive noise, wilful damage complaints and under age drinking.
“Unfortunately, some teenagers affected by alcohol have needed medical treatment.”
Sergeant Coolican said one party held last month saw a vacant house trashed and a teen seriously injured after he cut his arm at the property.
“Other recent examples include a party held in bush land near Moore Road at Kewarra Beach, and another at private grounds in Redlynch last month which saw police pelted with bottles,” she said.
“We were also called out to shut down an out-of-control party at Machans Beach just yesterday.”
Sergeant Coolican said parents and teenagers can register their parties to ensure the occasion is remembered for all the right reasons.
“For young people, it is certainly a part of growing up, having fun and celebrating special occasions with their friends, however, intoxicated guests, gatecrashes, assaults and other criminal offences can ruin the occasion.
“Facebook invitations are fraught with many dangers, so we are appealing for parents to ensure they know where their children are over the weekend.”
More information on Party Safe registrations can be found on http://www.police.qld.gov.au
Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day. Crime Stoppers is a charitable community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.
