POLICE on North Stradbroke Island say they are prepared for the September school holidays, when hundreds of schoolies converge on the island.
Officer in charge of Dunwich Police Station sergeant Peter Twort said an extra 10 police officers would be stationed on the island over the two-week period.
Additional officers from the Tactical Crime Squad, Traffic and drug branches will patrol the island from September 19.
Sgt Twort said in the 12 years he had been patrolling the island, the number of schoolies had dropped from 3000 each September to 300.
He said the island was once a major destination for schoolies in September but that had now changed and the spring break was no different to any other holiday time of the year.
However, he said despite the drop in number of unsupervised schoolies, the number of incidents remained the same.
Straddie is a popular place during the spring school holidays for school students in the lead up to the December Schoolies Week.
Last year, two 17-year-old girls, were intercepted by police at Dunwich allegedly carrying approximately 80 cans of alcohol and two bottles of spirits.
Both received Liquor Infringement Notices with a fine of $256 each.
It was estimated more than 500 students visited Straddie for the pre-Schoolies holiday last year.
In previous years, large numbers of alcohol-filled students staying in private houses - without their parents - have caused noise problems and anti-social behaviour during the holiday period.
Sgt Twort reminded young people to act responsibly and to think about their actions.
He said he wanted youngsters visiting the island to be safe and enjoy their holidays within the law.
He also warned them that decisions made on the island could have lasting impacts.
Sgt Twort said providing alcohol to under-age children was an offence and could lead to serious consequences as well as fines of up to $3000.
Cleveland MP Mark Robinson said he supported the Red Frogs campaign, which works with Schoolies and the police on the island.
