Youth arrested and police patrols increased following stabbing and brawl at Croydon Skatepark

Police have stepped up patrols and assured users Croydon skatepark is safe after a teenager was stabbed in a fight believed to have involved up to 20 youths.

Croydon police have stepped up their patrols following a stabbing at Croydon skatepark.

Safety at Croydon’s skatepark is in the spotlight after a teenager was allegedly stabbed during a brawl between two groups of youths.

Up to 20 youths were believed to have been involved in the brawl just after 8pm on August 17.

A 17-year-old male is still recovering from non-life threatening injuries.

Police cordoned off the skatepark and its surrounds following the brawl and conducted forensic examinations.

Maroondah detectives arrested a male youth over the incident on August 28.

A youth has been arrested following a brawl at Croydon skatepark where a 17-year-old male was stabbed.

He was charged with intentionally causing injury and remanded to appear at a children’s court on September 4.

Readers had mixed opinions on safety at the skatepark and its surrounds on Maroondah Leader’s Facebook page.

Shaun Dennehy said he was “jumped” by a pack of youths at the park three years ago and it had “never been safe” at night, while Casey Phoenix felt there wasn’t enough lighting.

Jessica-Ann Sandy, Jason Mak and Ajay Conodie said they had never had a problem there and the skaters were respectful and helped younger users learn tricks.

Jo-Anne Taylor said the toilets opposite the skatepark at Arndale shopping centre were scarier.

Yle Maharg said he sometimes saw large groups drinking at the park on Friday and Saturday nights and broken glass on Sunday mornings.

“You could literally have the cops roll past every 1-2 hours on a Friday or Saturday night and it’d solve the problem,” he said.

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Croydon police Acting Senior Sergeant Jodie Vickers said officers patrolled the skatepark and its surrounds several times a day.

She said officers had increased their foot patrols at the skatepark and its engagement with users following the August 17 incident.

Acting Sen-Sgt Vickers said a CCTV camera next to the skatepark live streams to Croydon police station and was safe for visitors of all ages to use.

Maroondah Mayor Rob Steane said a minority of the community was not using the park “in the way it is intended”.

“We ask all visitors to the park to use and enjoy the space, but behave in a way that is respectful to other users of the park,” he said.

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