Youths terrorise commuters in Melbourne’s southeast after reports of Lynbrook assault
RESIDENTS have been left gobsmacked after up to 100 African Australian youths wreaked havoc on a train at Lynbrook station last night, with one local saying it was like a “riot scene out of a prison movie.”
Law & Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law & Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
TRAIN passengers and residents have spoken of their terror after about 100 youths wreaked havoc in Melbourne’s southeast overnight.
Frightened commuters reported a mob of mainly African Australians held train doors open, screamed abuse and fought after they were moved on from a park in Lynbrook, on the Cranbourne line.
Photographs posted on social media showed several riot squad vehicles parked in the area, and a large number of police on foot.
OTHER NEWS: NEW LAWS TO JAIL GUNSHOT KILLERS FOR LONGER
HOSPITAL SURGERIES CANCELLED AMID SYSTEM FAIL
VICTORIA ON TRACK FOR BIG TICKET RAIL PROMISES
Do you know more? Email news@heraldsun.com.au
The chaos began after police were called to Paterson Dr about 7.30pm last night, after reports of an assault.
One woman told 3AW there were “two kids to every door of the train, holding it down”.
“The train’s beeping its horn off, trying to leave the station but he (the driver) can’t because they’re all holding the doors open and screaming and yelling and fighting and they’ve got open spirit bottles,” she told the radio station.
Another woman, who the Herald Sun has chosen not to name, said the incident left her “lost for words”.
“Was organised by kids for hours cos they’ve all been hiding in trees and stuff around the station,” she posted on Facebook.
“It takes a lot to shock me, but I was lost for words. Train couldn’t leave as it couldn’t close its doors and poor driver could only toot his horn.
“I am still so gobsmacked. It was like a riot scene out of a prison movie.”
She said men and women covered the length of the platform
“I know bored males love to bounce testosterone, but these kids had no regard,” she added.
“Was running back scared, warning people not to go near the area, there were riots going on.”
Victoria Police said officers found a large number of youths in a reserve next to Lynbrook station.
“The youths were asked to move on with the majority catching trains at the nearby station,” a spokeswoman said in a statement.
“No victims made themselves known to police and no offences were detected.”
The spokeswoman confirmed the majority of the youths involved were understood to be of African appearance.
Late on Wednesday night, transit safety police and Protective Service Officers were monitoring the youths’ movements across the rail system and through the city, amid fears of more violence.
Local resident Ruby Araich said she saw about 100 teens walking through Banjo Paterson park, over the road from her house.
She said the group were mostly boys that looked about 15 or 16 and were “singing and chanting”.
“I don’t know the song but they were all singing together,” the woman said.
“I thought they were just kids having fun but then the police arrived. We were worried about our cars and everything. We were scared to go out.”
Mrs Araich added she first heard the commotion in the park about 8.30pm and by 9pm there were 10 police cars and vans in the park.
A group of teen girls tried to hide from police behind a bus stop, and the majority of the group dispersed down Lynbrook Blvd toward Lynbrook Village Shopping Centre, she said.
Neighbour Juliana Corenti said the park often attracted large groups of teens playing music and drinking.
“It is how you say, really, really dodgy,” she said.
Two months ago a group of teenagers tried to kick in her door.
“We hear the youngsters in the night time. It is a bit scary.”
Witness Jacob, who did not want his surname to be published, was parked opposite Banjo Paterson Park when the youths swarmed the area.
“There were at least a hundred probably more of them, anywhere from 16-20 years of age, they were young and of Sudanese appearance,” he said.
“They were hanging around the park. They were very loud, they were screaming and yelling and causing havoc.
“The locals would have been scared for sure.”
He did not see any violence, but noted there were at least 10 police cars at the scene.
“I heard that the train was delayed for 15 minutes because they were abusing the trains and holding the doors opens and the train driver was honking the horn.”
In August, rocks were hurled at police vehicles when more than 100 out-of-control youths clashed in Taylors Hill.
RELATED: