Ecoville Community Centre still a no-go zone

A NEW Melbourne estate’s trashed community centre, which became a symbol of the state’s youth gang crisis a week ago, remains a no-go zone as authorities continue dealing with the mess.

Police inspect the trashed Ecoville Community centre, Tarneit. Picture: Nicole Garmston

A NEW estate’s trashed community centre, which became a symbol of the state’s youth gang crisis a week ago, was still a no-go zone on Wednesday.

Over the past week, the Herald Sun has reported how residents were living in fear of gang members, mostly of African appearance, who have taken over and ruined the Ecoville Community Park in Tarneit, 28km west of Melbourne’s CBD.

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Police patrol the Ecoville Community Centre in Tarneit. Picture: Jay Town

Glass and rubbish litter the floor inside. Picture: Jay Town

A police caravan has been set up at the centre. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Images published last week showed the community centre had been trashed and MTS — the tag for emerging crime gang Menace To Society — was daubed on walls.

MTS is linked to the notorious Apex gang, which has wreaked havoc across Melbourne over the past two years.

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Today, police were out in force at Ecoville.

Pictures taken show the community centre is still in ruins, with fresh graffiti plastered across wooden boards which were installed in the past week.

The community centre remains trashed after being taken over by a crime gang. Picture: Nicole Garmston

The Menace To Society gang’s initials are scrawled on the walls. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Police inspect the trashed community centre. Picture: Nicole Garmston

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Rubbish still lies scattered across the floor of the centre.

Terrified Tarneit residents say teens smashed walls, daubed public property with graffiti and dealt and used drugs at the centre.

Police yesterday set up a van at the centre, while officers patrolled the grounds.

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@davidhurleyHS