'Schoolies' praised despite booze-fuelled arrests

Police are pleased at the lack of carnage as Schoolies Week hits the Gold Coast. Photo / Getty Images

BRISBANE - Police have praised schoolies despite 30 arrests overnight as tens of thousands of school leavers descended on Surfers Paradise.

There were fewer arrests than this time last year, with crowd numbers also lower at about 20,000, police said on Sunday.

A total of 118 people were arrested on the Gold Coast overnight, with 30 of those being schoolies.

Of the students charged, 27 were male and three were female.

Most of the schoolies were arrested for public nuisance, drunk and street offences. Three were also charged for drug offences, police said.

"I'm pleased to see that there was less alcohol-fuelled behaviour overnight, but I'm urging anyone who isn't a school leaver to avoid schoolies activities," Superintendent Jim Keogh said.

"It's important schoolies remember their wristbands. If they don't have a wristband and their ID, they won't be allowed in to the precinct.

"Although we've had some good weather in the past 24 hours, the ocean can still be dangerous at night.

"I'd like to remind schoolies to always swim between the flags and remember that swimming in the dark or when affected by alcohol is dangerous," he said.

"I'm also encouraging schoolies to be mindful of their behaviour while staying at their accommodation.

"Police will be working hard to intervene early in any problem situations which may arise."

- AAP