Traders too scared to work as teen gangs run amok

Business owners in St Albans are “working in fear” and say their staff are too scared to come to work after violent teens targeted them in a series of attacks.

Traders in St Albans are “working in fear” after violent teens targeted them in a series of attacks.

Businesses owners along the popular Alfrieda St shopping strip say they’re at breaking point, and staff are too scared to come to work.

It follows a spate of violent events including a brawl between shop workers and youths of African appearance outside a Vietnamese restaurants just days ago.

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Neil Migliorisi, owner of Western Hairdressing Supplies, is concerned about the recent rise in gang activity. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Western Hairdressing Supplies owner Neil Migliorisi told the Sunday Herald Sun he would fight back if the teens descended on the shopping strip again.

“When they come in and start attacking staff and customers, you have to fight back,” Mr Migliorisi said. “I’ll have no worries giving them some of their own medicine if they come back here again.”

On Christmas Eve, a 46-year-old man ended up in hospital with cuts to his face after a fight outside Song Huong restaurant.

Binh Nguyen and Diem Chau Le of B&D Kitchen in St Albans. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Manager Linh Vu said: “We’re scared right now.

“They come with weapons, looking to steal and hurt people. I think they’ll be back soon and I don’t know what we can do if they do.”

A day earlier 20 bat-wielding thugs threw tables and chairs at patrons outside B&D Kitchen.

“They attacked our visitors with the cups, chairs and tables outside our store,” Binh Nguyen, who runs the restaurant with wife Diem Chau Le, said.

The youths had been a problem for nearly two months and there had been several incidents along the busy strip in recent weeks, he said.

Song Huong manager Linh Vu. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Numerous business owners said they were worried more violence was ahead — and the St Albans Lunar Festival on January 6 was a potential target. “Everyone knows they will be back but this time we’ll be ready,” one owner said.

“We don’t want violence but we don’t have a choice.”

Police have made several arrests over the December 23 and 24 attacks.

It’s understood police identified several youths involved in the Christmas Eve clash as members of the emerging youth gang BDK.

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