Police suspect schoolies numbers on the Surf Coast may be down on previous years.
Torquay’s officer in charge Adrian Bickley says more of this years school leavers are likely to be getting out of the state, because unlike previous years during the pandemic they can.
“What we’re seeing is people now being able to, or schoolies now being able to, move more freely interstate and also overseas,” he said.
“As a result our information is indicating that numbers will be reduced on the Surf Coast.”
Despite the ease in the amount of revelers heading to the region, police will have an increased presence, in destination hotspots like Lorne and Torquay between November 25 and December 2.
One of the ways they hope to do so is by the return of mounted police, Mr Bickley says.
“We’re always looking at whether we can use such resources as the mounted branch to come down and assist us in insuring that schoolies have a good visit to the Surf Coast.”
Police are urging people to keep some basic safety tips in mind during their visit, such as staying in groups, not leaving drinks unattended and being cautious when getting behind the wheel.
“If they’re on P plates and they’re driving, just remember that when they wake up in the morning they may still be impacted by alcohol.”
