Six youths arrested following ethnic-based violence on Christmas Eve

Image: Channel 7

Two youths have been arrested following ethnic-based violence on Christmas Eve.

The brawl on the streets of St Albans saw Vietnamese-Australian shopkeepers pitted against African-Australian youths visiting the area.

Four other youths were arrested over a robbery, also in St Albans, earlier in the week.

The arrests came as police were called to Sunshine railway station in relation to a large gathering of youths just before 10.30pm.

At the scene, police identified six males believed to be involved in earlier incidents.

“Weapons were used, chairs, bats, people kicked on the ground — it was nasty stuff,” Tony Jones said on 3AW Mornings on Thursday.

Chairs and pieces of wood have been used as weapons during a wild brawl outside a St Albans restaurant. @hannah_jenkins #7News pic.twitter.com/CrhWvCr9De

— 7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) December 25, 2018

While police were arresting the teens, others from the large gathering threw rocks at police, injuring one officer from the Public Order Response Team.

The six males are currently in custody and are expected to be charged in relation to the affray and robbery.

 

Earlier, social posts from angry locals have indicated the situation threatens to escalate.

“Soon there will be machetes and guns out. And they will wonder why there is blood,” one post reads.

Another: “Time to set up the Asian patrol squad.”

Police today told 3AW they were aware of the posts and had a clear message for the

“We would say to those communities, it is the job of Victoria Police to prosecute these matters and not any other community group or any other individuals to take the law into their hands,” Supt. David Jones from Victoria Police said.

He said investigations into the December 24 brawl were ongoing, and resources had been stepped up in the area.

“Yes, there are some growing tensions there, and we’re working with the local councils,” Supt. Jones said.

We intend and will … prosecute any offenders that we have enough evidence on.

“And we will use the full force of the law.”

Click PLAY to hear police discuss the matter with police