Police arrest 16-year-old boy at Derrimut Rd bus stop after police called to Pacific Werribee at Hoppers Crossing

A boy with a machete who allegedly threatened to stab security after his group was booted from a shopping centre in Melbourne’s west was released and fined.

A boy was found with a machete was arrested near Pacific Werribee in Hoppers Crossing on Wednesday afternoon. Picture: Josie Hayden

A machete-wielding teen allegedly threatened to stab a security guard after his group was booted from a shopping centre, they were banned from, in Melbourne’s west.

Police attended Pacific Werribee in Hoppers Crossing on Wednesday afternoon after reports a group of teens were causing trouble inside the shopping centre.

Members of the group were previously banned from the western suburbs complex and retailers contacted security after they saw them behaving inappropriately, according to management.

Police were seen near the bus stop on Derrimut Rd following the arrest on Wednesday evening.
Picture: Supplied

Six security guards escorted the group from the shopping centre before one of the teens allegedly threatened to stab them, which prompted a call for police intervention.
Police officers approached six boys at the Derrimut Rd bus station outside Pacific Werribee about 5.45pm and conducted a search of the group where they located a machete.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested to confirm his identity before he was released.

He was issued with a penalty notice for possessing a controlled weapon and fined $1000.

Eagle-eyes residents saw the Air Wing police helicopter in the Hoppers Crossing area about 5.30pm Wednesday. Picture: Supplied

It comes two days after terrified families fled a Melton shopping centre after a fight between teens armed with a machete and axe, and a man was stabbed by a group of six teens at a Point Cook football ground.

One retail worker at the centre said staff were “on edge” following incidents across the country this week.

Pacific Werribee General Manager Ryan Ling said the centre had already deployed additional security following the Bondi Junction tragedy on the weekend to provide the community with some assurance and comfort.

“Security personnel swiftly escorted a group of young people known to the centre off site yesterday without incident ... we are grateful for the support of Victoria Police, who intercepted this group shortly after in response to verbal threats made,” Mr Ling said.

“We have already deployed additional security on site and have worked with police in Werribee to support a heightened presence across the local area.

“The safety and wellbeing of our entire Werribee community is always our overriding concern and something we take very seriously.”

The centre is patrolled by security 24/7 with support from an extensive CCTV network.