‘Petrified’: Terrifying incident at family Christmas event

Police have arrested three teenage boys armed with machetes after clashing with authorities at a family Christmas event.

Three machete-wielding teenagers have been arrested and released on bailafter clashing with police during a carols by candlelight event in Melbourne.

Police were called to Bayside Carols in Dendy Park in Brighton East on Tuesday about 8.30pm after reports a group of youths armed with machetes were fighting nearby.

Three teens have been arrested after clashing with police in Dendy Park in Brighton East on Tuesday night. Picture: Instagram

A parent walking through the park during the event recalled the moment she heard a group of teens “yelling and swearing” at her family, leaving her young child terrified.

“My eight-year-old son was so petrified he couldn’t sleep last night,” the mother wrote on social media.

“Absolutely disgusting behaviour.”

A Bayside City Council statement confirmed it was aware of the incident.

“The incident took place outside the Carols in the Park event boundary and the event was not impacted,” the statement read.

“Victoria Police have confirmed they made several arrests and an investigation is ongoing.

“Council works proactively with Victoria Police and private security to ensure the safety of all attendees at carols.”

Families were left terrified after gangs armed with machetes stormed through the Bayside Christmas Carols. Picture: Facebook

According to Brighton MP James Newbury, families attending the Christmas event “watched as gangs with machetes arrived and clashed with police” before they were chased down Glencairn Ave.

“A chase followed down Glencairn Ave with offenders dumping machetes over fences as the chase ensued,” the MP said on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday morning.

No injuries were reported.

A 15-year-old boy and two 16-year-old boys were arrested and charged with three counts of affray, three counts of assault with a weapon, three counts of unlawful assault and three counts of possess controlled weapon.

All three boys have been bailed and will appear at a children’s court at a later date.