Swimmers shaken up after violence erupts again at Casey Aquatic Centre
Violence has erupted at a southeastern pool again, just weeks after a teen lifeguard was brutally attacked.
South East
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Swimmers at a southeast aquatic centre have been left shaken once again after another brawl broke out.
Victoria Police responded to reports of a fight between swimmers at the Casey Aquatic Centre on Sunday.
In a video obtained by the Herald Sun a group of at least 10 people can be seen fighting, while a girl tries to break up the brawl.
It’s understood those involved in the biffo fled before police officers arrived and no injuries were reported.
However one social media user Amber-lea Drinnan questioned how the brawlers gained entry to the aquatic centre despite bag checking and security.
“This shouldn't have happened again … They need to be arrested and banned from all government swimming facilities,” she wrote.
Cindy Martin also questioned why the alleged thugs were not banned from the aquatic centre.
“They (Casey ARC) are allowed to ban people … (they) don’t have to be criminally charged to be able to do that,” she said.
“Casey Arc is not a place I would go to these days.”
Dennie Deabe said, “Absolutely disgusting. You go to the pool to relax and have fun not to see this kind of stuff going on.”
City of Casey’s former young citizen of the year Jessica Vidic said the brawl was proof there was a growing issue with “youth crime and a lack of respect for authority”.
“It’s alarming to see young people resorting to aggression in public spaces, creating an unsafe environment for both workers and the community,” she said.
“The increase of property damage and car theft, which I have personally encountered, has left many residents, myself included, feeling uneasy.”
Ms Vidic said there needed to be stronger consequences to deter youth violence before it escalated further.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said officers were unable to speak with anyone at Casey ARC to determine whether Sunday’s brawl was linked to last month’s violent attack on a lifeguard.
In that incident, a teenage lifeguard was allegedly set upon by a group of youths while overseeing swimmers at the Narre Warren pool just before 6pm on January 19 — also a Sunday.
He suffered minor upper-body injuries and was taken to Dandenong Hospital in a stable condition.
The offenders fled the scene and were last spotted heading along Overland Dr, just metres from the aquatic centre.
The investigation into the January assault remains ongoing, police said.
A City of Casey spokeswoman said council was aware of the “serious incident” at Casey ARC.
“Staff at Casey RACE followed correct procedures when responding to the incident and evacuated the area focusing on patron and staff safety,” she said.
The spokeswoman said any community space where members of the public gathered together brought risks of “anti-social behaviour”.
“Council works closely with community agencies and partners, such as Victoria Police, as part of a broader strategy and conversation around community safety.
“We will continue to prioritise partnerships, initiatives and procedures that seek to support community cohesion and safe community spaces.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
