Schools send email warning of Westfield crime gang

Schools near a Westfield frequently targeted by young criminals have warned parents and students to exercise extreme caution at the centre.

A ‘school alert’ issued to five high schools in Brisbane’s north on Wednesday warned a ‘gang of youths’ was stealing valuables from customers at Westfield Chermside in Queensland 

‘Students please be aware that both the police and Westfield security have been advised that there is a currently a gang of youths targeting people and stealing their valuables,’ the notice stated.

A warning email was sent to parents of students at schools near Chermside Westfield about the presence of a ‘youth gang’ stealing valuables

Police have since denied the presence of a singular gang, but confirmed they were take a ‘proactive policing’ approach to tackling ‘isolated incidents’.

‘While there have been some isolated incidents at Westfield Chermside shopping complex, and surrounding areas involving juvenile offenders targeting other juveniles for valuables, QPS do not have any information to support concerns that a gang is operating in the area,’ a Queensland Police spokesman said in a statement. 

‘North Brisbane District police continue to work in conjunction with Westfield Chermside to provide a proactive policing response.’

‘Parents and caregivers are encouraged to provide assistance to police by reiterating personal safety strategies available to their children.’

The alert was issued to five high schools in Brisbane's north on Wednesday and warned a 'gang of youths' was targeting patrons at Westfield Chermside (pictured)

The alert was issued to five high schools in Brisbane’s north on Wednesday and warned a ‘gang of youths’ was targeting patrons at Westfield Chermside (pictured)

The alert states students should avoid certain areas in and around the mall, including the food court entry and its surrounding walkways, as well as the steps near Kittyhawk Drive and Kidspace.  

They were told to use the ‘pharmacy entrance’ as their main entry and exit point, to walk in groups, and ‘think carefully about whether you need to go into Westfield at all’.

The notice, sent to parents via email, caused distress among hundreds of parents after being shared widely on social media. 

Education Queensland spokeswoman said the letter first emerged from a concerned parent of a student attending school 1.4 kilometres from the mall, ABC News reports.

Education Queensland spokeswoman said the letter first emerged from a concerned parent of a student attending Wavell State High School (pictured)

Education Queensland spokeswoman said the letter first emerged from a concerned parent of a student attending Wavell State High School (pictured)

‘A parent from Wavell State High School raised concerns with the principal about an incident involving their child outside school grounds at a local shopping centre,’ she said. 

Brisbane Kids Facebook group said in a post there was ‘nothing overly hardcore’ going on at the mall. 

‘We have double checked with police beat Chermside so we could add to the information we had for you, and while the very lovely policemen agreed all students and anyone visiting a shopping centre anyway should be vigilant, he said there is nothing overly hardcore going on at Chermside.’  

A Westfield Chermside spokeswoman stated, ‘the safety and security of our shoppers and retailers is a priority. And as always we work closely with police.’     



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk