MINISTER of Homeland Security Roger Alexander said deploying police officers at “high risk” schools has been a successful initiative to curb violence, as 19 students were arrested and charged with various offences, including possession of drugs and weapons.

At yesterday’s Senate sitting, the minister provided the information in response to a question from Opposition Senator Melanie Roberts-Radgman, who asked him to indicate the number of students arrested and/or charged in connection with reported incidents of school violence during the September-to-December 2025 academic term.

Alexander said the School-Oriented Policing Initiative was implemented in September 2025 as part of the Government’s broader strategy to strengthen safety and security within the school environment and to support the prevention and management of incidents of school violence within educational institutions.