Beachgoers terrorised by gang at Chelsea beach
Undercover and uniformed police will swarm beaches this summer amid an extended crackdown on violent youths descending on Melbourne’s foreshore after a gang of youths terrorised beachgoers at Chelsea beach in Melbourne’s southeast.
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Undercover and uniformed police will swarm beaches this summer amid an extended crackdown on violent youths descending on Melbourne’s foreshore.
It comes as gangs unleashed their thuggery on swimmers at Chelsea beach, ransacking bags and bashing beachgoers during this week’s heatwave.
Superintendent Sharon McKinnon said police were “disturbed” about the unprovoked attacks late Thursday, some of which involved a group of youths of African appearance, and that officers would be “doubling their resources” in the area.
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Supt McKinnon said youths started rifling through belongings, stealing mobile phones and purses before some turned violent.
One bather got out of the water to confront a would-be thief and was assaulted.
The group then moved on and attacked three men, aged 25, 28 and 30, bashing them and stealing a mobile phone. It is understood a plastic cricket bat was used in the attack.
Later in the night, a 19-year-old man was smashed over the head with a glass bottle while sitting on the sand.
It followed a fight between two groups about 6pm, which police believe started over the use of public access jet skis.
A resident who lives near the beach said more CCTV was needed to protect locals, including elderly residents who were becoming too frightened to venture out on hot nights.
“The violence around here is getting out of hand,” the resident said. “We shouldn’t have to go down to the beach with a baseball bat to be safe.”
Another local, Dave, said it was only a matter of time before another incident occurred at the popular southeast beach.
Weapons searches were expected to begin at the beach last night and would continue through the summer.
Meanwhile, 10 CCTV cameras installed at St Kilda beach have begun live streaming to police amid a spate of attacks at the popular tourist spot.
In the past month, 30 people have been arrested at the busy beach and at least two arrests were the direct result of police noticing thugs in action on the cameras.
Police Minister Lisa Neville said families were reclaiming the area as a result of safety initiatives and the council’s commitment to alcohol bans.
Minister for Crime Prevention Ben Carroll said: “We are watching you.”
More CCTV is expected to be rolled out across nearby Acland St in coming months.
Mayor Dick Gross said authorities and council had done all they could to protect visitors to the iconic beach.
A resident who lives near the beach said more CCTV is needed in order to protect locals.
“The violence around here is getting out of hand,” the resident said.
“We shouldn’t have to go down to the beach with a baseball bat in order to be safe.”
Another local, Dave, said it was only a matter of time before another incident occurs at the popular southeast beach.
“As soon as it gets really hot here again, they’ll be back and causing trouble,” he said.
The Chelsea resident, who has lived in the area for more than 40 years, said long time locals are now scared to venture out late at night.
“There are elderly people living around here and they just don’t dare leave the house after about 8pm,” he said.
A large police presence is expected from tonight with increased foot patrols and weapons searches.
With New Year’s Eve fast approaching, Supt McKinnon said beachgoers can be rest assured they will remain safe.
“We are confident with the resources that we have and the planning that’s been done for New Year’s Eve that everyone will have an enjoyable New Year’s Eve,” she said.
Supt McKinnon also said terrified locals should be confident everything possible is being done to target the offenders.
No arrests have been made.
The investigation is ongoing.
In a separate incident at Chelsea beach earlier in the night at about 6pm, two groups of people began fighting in the streets.
Police believe the altercation started over the use of public access jet skis.
Public order response police quickly descended on the area and managed to move the groups away with one person arrested for criminal damage and public drunkenness.