Police have arrested two teenagers after terrified shoppers were forced to flee a shopping centre in Melbourne’s western suburbs during a brawl yesterday.
The incident unfolded at Woodgrove Shopping Centre in Melton about 5pm.
9News has seen footage of two males fighting each other with knives and throwing chairs.
Police said they received reports of a group of males “armed with edged weapons” fighting at the shopping centre.
“A boy, aged 15 from Weir Views, was located with head injuries and was conveyed to hospital where he remains,” Victoria Police said in a statement.
He will be interviewed by police when he is released from hospital.
Officers this morning arrested a 15-year-old from Melton South and a 16-year-old from Harkness, who have been interviewed by police.
The 16-year-old has been charged with affray, possess prohibited weapon and being armed with criminal intent.
The 15-year-old will be charged with affray, possess controlled weapon and being armed with criminal intent.
They will both be “directly presented” to the children’s court.
Woodgrove Shopping Centre Manager Kylie Robertson said the centre’s security staff responded rapidly to the incident.
She said the centre is patrolled with a security team ”24 hours a day 7 days a week”.
“We are grateful no customers, retailers or security were harmed and we continue to assist authorities with their investigation,” Robertson said.
“The safety and wellbeing of our entire Woodgrove community is always our overriding concern and something we take very seriously.
“To provide our community with some assurance and additional comfort following the tragic events that occurred at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday, we have already deployed additional security staff on site and have worked with Local Area Police in Melton to support a heightened level of security across the local area.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
