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, Queensland Police say.
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.
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.
We’d like to warn teens and their parents of the issues that are occurring at some of these late night beach parties. Many of these incidents are happening at 8.30 and 9pm at night, not 2 or 3 in the morning. Some of our victims and offenders are aged as young as 14," Senior Sergeant Hurst said.
Police have also stepped up night patrols of beach areas by both uniformed and plain clothes officers.
Some recent examples include:
September 26, 2016 – large beach party at Wurtulla, around 10pm
Officers from the Sunshine Coast CPIU charged four teens following investigations into the alleged assault and robbery of two youths.
Approximately 70 people, most of them believed to be juveniles and young adults, gathered on the beach at Wurtulla- including two exchange students, a 14-year-old boy from Germany and a 17-year-old boy from Norway.
Around 10pm the two students left the beach and started walking towards the road via beach access 248 with police alleging they were followed by up to seven male teenagers, who confronted and threatened them whilst demanding cash, mobile phones and personal property.
Police will further allege the 14-year-old boy was punched and pushed to the ground where he was then kicked by the group before they fled on foot with cash.
Detectives charged a 17-year-old Murrumba Downs man with one count each of robbery in company using personal violence, assault occasioning bodily harm and attempted robbery. A 14-year-old Buddina boy was also charged with the same offences and will be dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justices Act. The man is due to appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on October 28.
Two Buddina teens- aged 18 and 16- have both been charged with robbery in company using personal violence and attempted robbery. The younger teen will be dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justices Act and the 18-year-old is due to appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on October 28.
The 14-year-old exchange student sustained facial injuries and police investigation into this incident are continuing.
September 19, 2016 – beach party at Wurtulla, around 9pm
Detectives from the Sunshine Coast CPIU charged a 15-year-old Meridan Plains boy with one count each of assault occasioning bodily harm, serious assault police and obstruct police after officers investigated a fight in which a teen boy was allegedly knocked unconscious.
It will be alleged a large number of teenagers were at a party on Wurtulla Beach when a physical fight broke out between two teenage girls (see below information). Many in the crowd were actively encouraging and cheering the girls on, with at least one mobile phone recording taken.
A 15-year-old Bokarina boy realising the seriousness of the fight attempted to separate the girls.
Police will allege the boy was immediately grabbed around the neck by another teen and punched in the face, and when the boy attempted to step back he was punched in the face several more times and head-butted once.
The boy lost consciousness and woke a short time later. He was transported to hospital for treatment to head and facial injuries.
Detective Senior Sergeant Phil Hurst, OIC of Sunshine Coast CPIU said police had seized a mobile phone recording of the fight saying it was confronting viewing watching a number of teens encouraging and goading the girls.
"Violence is sickening, dangerous and never acceptable. Any time a physical altercation occurs the results can be catastrophic. Too many young people have lost their lives to random and senseless acts of violence. Watching the video and seeing how many people were cheering and encouraging the fight was extremely disappointing.
My detectives continue to examine the video to see if any other offenders can be detected. People who actively encourage an offence can be in trouble themselves, as they too, may have committed an offence by their actions," Senior Sergeant Hurst said.
Earlier that same night- beach party at Wurtulla, around 8.30pm
Detectives continue to investigate the earlier fight that occurred on Wurtulla Beach involving two girls aged 14 and 15.
It will be alleged a verbal argument escalated into a physical fight between two girls with one of the teens having her hair pulled whilst being punched about the face, neck and shoulders.
A 15-year-old girl from Birtinya sustained bruising and swelling to her head and face.
The other girl fled on foot after on-lookers stepped in and stopped the fight.
September 6, 2016 – beach party at Mudjimba, around 8.30pm
A 15-year-old Palmwoods boy with be dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justices Act after being charged with negligent act causing harm.
Police will allege a 15-year-old Sunshine Coast girl sustained burn injuries after a can of deodorant exploded after being thrown on a fire.
The girl received injuries to her leg, arm and head.
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.
