A FOOTSCRAY police woman has warned young people to be careful with their alcohol intake and of sexual predators this summer.

Senior Sergeant Jenny Wilson, who is in charge of the Footscray Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Unit (FSOCAU), said although teenagers socialised all the time “there are a lot more parties and alcohol at this time of year”.

“At schoolies celebrations, sometimes people mingle in groups to take advantage of young people who are in free spirits and have drunk a lot of alcohol. There are people like that all around the place, not just in Queensland,” Sen Sgt Wilson said.

Sen Sgt Wilson also cautioned people aged over 18 that supplying alcohol to minors they did not know well could be an offence.

Her warning came after Victoria Police said there had been “an alarming spike in teenage sex offences” between June and September this year.

“A lot of offences are taking place in party type situations, where often a large amount of alcohol has been consumed and where there is often little to no adult supervision. What we are commonly seeing is young girls, who have often been drinking alcohol, being targeted by young men,” Detective Inspector Glenn Davies from the Sexual Crimes Squad said.

Sen Sgt Wilson said both male and female young people should go out in groups and have definite plans about which friends would take everyone home.

She warned teenagers and young adults to make sure they do not get separated from people they knew when attending licensed venues and to watch out for drink-spiking.

Sen Sgt Wilson said even if people were unsure about what happened to them or do not want to report an assault but want assistance with counselling, they should call FSOCAU on 8398 9860 or the Western Region Centre Against Sexual Assault on 9687 5811.