30/04/2025
: Tasmania Police have launched a series of planned patrols and safety operations across Glenorchy, Moonah and Claremont today following widespread social media warnings of potential youth riots.
The significant police presence comes after viral social media posts claimed up to 200 young people were planning to "run through shopping centres and assault people and ransack shops" in the area.
One widely-shared Facebook post urged residents to avoid Northgate shopping centre and surrounding areas, claiming "the riot squad will be on call but this will not guarantee your safety."
Police confirmed the increased presence is designed to maintain public safety, encouraging people to report incidents via 131 444 or Triple-Zero for emergencies.
"Police are committed to making sure our public spaces are safe for everyone to enjoy, and antisocial and illegal behaviour in our communities will not be tolerated," a police spokesperson said.
It is understood police have been contacting managers at stores within the Northgate shopping centre, urging them to have their shutters "ready to deploy" in case of a large-scale incident.