POLICE have declared 2015 leavers to be the best yet, after a week of great behaviour.
More than 8000 school leavers headed down south to celebrate the end of their high school education and while there were initial concerns that some leavers would be 18, police say this group has been the best yet.
“Overall we are really pleased, there have been no real issues,” said South West Inspector Pete Davies, who was the Police Operational Commander for leavers.
“Over the years we have developed a strategy for Leavers Week and this year has definitely been the best yet.”
Inspector Davies said their strategy was to protect the leavers, keeping them safe while also allowing them to have a good time and celebrate the end of their studies.
The police had such a good relationship with the leavers, that by the end of the week they were on a first name basis with many of them.
“We were there with them most afternoons, at the entertainment zone and at the Meelup beach day.”
“For many kids this will be their first encounter with police, so we tried to make it a positive one and really form a good relationship with them.”
Inspector Davies said one of the best aspects of leavers in Dunsborough was the entertainment zone.
“It’s quite far out away from the community, so they can play loud music and have a good time.
“We had 40 buses catering to the leavers to ensure they could get around.”
South West police, along with Perth metro police came down for the week.
“We had the sniffer dogs run through the zone every day before the leavers even arrived, to ensure nothing had been stashed.
“We also searched all the volunteers.”
Police worked with liquor stores to combat the issue of the 18 year olds, ensuring they were safe and limiting their chances to supply under age teenagers with alcohol.
Any 18 year old leavers who wanted to purchase alcohol had their name taken down and were only allowed a limited amount of alcohol per day.
The week was finished clean with a few minor incidents being recorded.
Inspector Davies said they made a small amount of drug related arrests.
