Gold Coast Bulletin, Thursday April 22, 2010

SUSPENDED and expelled school students were put under police care to stem a behavioural crisis in Gold Coast schools.

The tough-love measure came after wayward kids were blamed for a spike in daytime crime.

More than 800 students were suspended and expelled from just seven local state high schools during one semester in 2009.

Police believed some were responsible for a recent jump in juvenile offences at a time when kids should be in the classroom.

In a bold move to help these troubled teens and cut crime, suspended and expelled high school students were to be sent to the Police Citizens Youth Club, where they would be given tailored programs to help them address the issues which have landed them in trouble.

The youth program, the first of its kind in Australia, also catered for students who are not coping with traditional schooling and kids who have dropped out and become completely disengaged with school.

‘‘These are kids that are very close to going off the rails,’’ said Senior Sergeant Shane Holmes.

“They are at a crossroads in their life, they’re not engaging in mainstream schooling and could be out there committing crime before we know it.

‘‘If they’re not mixing well at school we need to provide something for them.’’

Sen-Sgt Holmes said an analysis of statistics revealed juvenile crime spiked between Wednesdays and Fridays with the majority of offences committed between 8.30am and 4pm.