Paramedic says youths catch 902 route bus to swarm Chelsea foreshore
Youths are catching buses from Pakenham line train stations to swarm Chelsea Beach and fight, a paramedic claims, with emergency services dreading the next hot day as scared local residents plead for authorities to act.
Inner South
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner South . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Emergency medics are dreading “the next hot day” fearing more bloody bashings along the Chelsea foreshore.
And locals are pleading for authorities to “please do something” because “we are all scared”.
One paramedic told the Leader they had lost count of call-outs to beach brawls and boozy violence in the past two years and warned “it’s only a matter of time before it happens again.”.
The first responder, who did not want to be named, said groups of youths from southeast Melbourne swarm straight onto Chelsea beach on board the 902 bus from Springvale railway station, which serves as the most direct route to the water for teens who live along the Pakenham line.
The medic said as soon as it gets hot the youths hit the coast, buying alcohol in Chelsea.
“And they don’t eat, that’s where the trouble begins,” they said.
“It’s always the same group of kids, I hear the radio go off and think, not again.”
The paramedic spoke out after scores of youths were filmed brawling at Chelsea and Mordialloc foreshore in front of horrified onlookers on Monday, almost a year since riot police and the dog squad descended on the beach in response to the same violent behaviour.
The parent doesn’t take their children to Chelsea beach anymore in fear of violence.
Hard-hitting memories for the long-term Ambulance Victoria employee included one youth group attack where a woman was bashed so badly on the sand that she was left bleeding from the mouth and without sensation in her legs.
Another time, a battered shopper was kicked and punched by a group of five while walking to their car after picking up groceries at Woolworths and residents were verbally abused and were dealing with the clean-up following youths urinating on their fence.
“These kids have no respect I’ve seen the way they speak to police.”
Victoria Police spokeswoman Natalie Butler said police were aware of instances of anti-social behaviour along bus lines in Melbourne’s southeast and all reports would be investigated.
“We know anti-social behaviour may tend to increase as the weather gets warmer and more people are out and about,” she said.
“Based on intelligence received, police increase patrols in areas where reports of crime have been made to help keep the community safe.
“Transit Safety Division are also working with officers from Southern Metro Region to ensure safety along the transport network and public spaces in the area.”
A Department of Transport spokesman did answer questions about the 902 route bus. He said more than 600 authorised officers continued to work across the network to improve safety.
“CCTV cameras operate 24 hours a day across the train, tram and bus network to help keep passengers safe,” the spokesman said.
Chelsea police Sen-Sgt Alex Jackson confirmed they had made a “handful” of public order responses at the foreshore but would not specify how many.
Chelsea’s Nada Visic told the Leader her community desperately needed an official forum to voice their concerns, as fears for the next riot grow.
“Woolworths has been forced to close early because of the riots in the car park … another woman was hit in the face at the pizza shop,” she said.
“The law has gone up ship creek where people can just do what they like.”
MORE NEWS
LIFESAVER’S IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO SWIMMERS
YOUTHS RUN RIOT IN TRAIN STATION BRAWL
DOCTOR SHARES CRAZY CHRISTMAS CASUALTY CASES
Others have taken to social media and Mordialloc state Labor MP Tim Richardson’s Facebook page to demand action to wipe out the violence.
“Please do something about our once peaceful and safe neighbourhood … we are all scared,” Colleen Bracken said.
“I have lived in Chelsea for over 30 years and have only seen this rubbish violence happen in the last few years … enough is enough,” Alan Temling wrote.