The first weekend of the infamous schoolies week on the Gold Coast has been tainted by violence, with fifty-four people arrested following muggings and violent alcohol-fuelled attacks.

Footage has emerged of teams of police intervening in large, violent brawls in the main mall.

• The Schoolies nightmare
• Schoolies urged to confess drug use

Many school leavers were the victims of random attacks, with one teenager punched by strangers while sitting with friends.

Schoolies celebrating finishing Year 12. Photo: Getty

In another attack, an 18-year-old Victorian man was violently mugged while sitting alone on Surfer’s Paradise beach.

Three strangers punched the teen in the head several times before taking his phone and wallet.

The problems are set to get worse, with an estimated 20,000 teenagers expected to flock to the Gold Coast to celebrate finishing their high school exams.

Brawl

Twenty-six people were arrested by police after a violent brawl erupted on the street in Cavill Mall.

A fight broke out overnight between two men, and quickly escalated into a melee involving more than 20 ex-students.

Twenty-three males and three females were arrested by police following the fight, according to the AAP.

Drugs

Eight people were charged with drug-related offences, including two 17-year-old girls found with 100 ecstasy tablets in their hotel room.

Both were charged with possessing a dangerous drug, while one was charged with supplying drugs, and will appear before court next month.

Despite the large number of arrests, Queensland Police said they were happy with the behaviour of the crowd.

“Generally police were pleased with the behaviour of schoolies, with only a small number of the large crowd coming to the attention of police,” a Queensland Police Service statement said.

‘Toolies’

Even those not visiting the area for post-exams celebrations were caught up in the violence.

A 22-year-old woman who was not part of the schoolies group was randomly attacked and left covered in blood after her head was slammed on a metal fence on Sunday night.

A man who came to the woman’s defence was also attacked by the group of women.

The phrase ‘toolie’ is generally used to describe someone who attends the week-long celebrations but is not a school leaver.

Face and hair matted with blood. The victim of a savage attack at Schoolies in Surfers Paradise. @7NewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/oF5GzjsZFr

— Josh Adsett (@joshadsett) November 22, 2014

Footage of schoolies assault via @skynewsAust https://t.co/eNNHAOzzBw

— Matt Young (@MattYoung) November 23, 2014

Balcony warning

Queensland Police warned revellers about “balcony hopping”, which involves climbing from balcony to another.

A 17-year-old teenager died on the Gold Coast two years ago after falling from a balcony.

“Balconies are for chilling out on & enjoying the view. They’re not a shortcut to your mate’s room next door,” Queensland Police tweeted.

So called ‘balcony hopping’ is unregulated high risk activity & is an offence. It’s dangerous, dumb & deadly. #schoolies #SchooliesGC

— QPS Media Unit (@QPSmedia) November 22, 2014