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You can count on the Victorian coppers to arrest an African thug — eventually

Restaurant terror. Seven News, Dec­ember 25:

Chairs and pieces of wood have been used as weapons during a wild brawl outside a (Vietnamese restaurant in St Albans, Melbourne. A Vietnamese woman said:) “I saw a group of African people … fighting with the Vietnamese people … I am very terrified … Everyday we worry … they will come.”

Restaurant terror. Simone Fox Koob, The Age, November 2:

As many as 15 youths of African appearance … (violently assaulted) a young chef and another innocent man (outside a St Kilda restaurant) …

Restaurant terror? 3AW, July 17:

(Premier) Daniel Andrews dismissed (comments by Malcolm Turnbull and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton that Melburnians were frightened about eating in restaurants because of African gangs). “I’d respectfully say the Prime Minister doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

No terror? Leave it to us. Hannah Moore, Daily Mail Australia, Dec­ember 26:

Young Vietnamese people are vowing to take action after video of their elders being attacked by thugs went viral … One Vietnamese woman … (said) “Why we let them in … and give them money for making trouble to us, what is the Australia law? … It’s not fair — we are working hard, paying tax and support these mother­f***ers” … A spokeswoman for Victoria Police … (said) no charges had been laid yet.

Arrests our job. 3AW, December 28:

“It is the job of Victoria Police to prosecute these matters and not any other community group … to take the law into their hands,” Superintendent David Jones from Victoria Police said (in response to Vietnamese vows to take action).

Police arrest thugs? Mark Schliebs, The Australian, December 28:

A horror evening … (at Melbourne’s Chelsea Beach) saw youths (of African appearance) glass a young man, bash three others and rob beachgoers … Superintendent Sharon McKinnon said no arrests have been made.

Police arrest thugs? Tessa Akerman, The Australian, August 10:

Up to 100 South Sudanese youths … (ran riot in) Taylors Hill (Melbourne) on Wednesday night … Gang members … (shouted) “The police can’t touch us, they can’t do anything.”

Police arrest thugs? Rohan Smith, news.com.au, August 10:

(Following the Taylors Hill riot, Commander Tim Hansen was asked) “How many arrests have you made?” … After delivering a glowing review of police tactics, (he said) … “At the moment, none.”

Police arrest thugs who assault police. ABC News, December 2:

Police … (dispersed a large crowd of African-Australians) before arresting a 19-year-old man … charged with assaulting police … (Shortly afterwards) a man was beaten unconscious … (by up to 20) “African-Australian youths”. (No arrests have made.)

Problem is pollies. 3AW, July 17:

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner Kristen Hilton says formal racism complaints have jumped more than 70 per cent in the past year … (because of) inflammatory comments of politicians.

The problem is the word gangs. ABC News, January 4:

South Sudanese community leader Richard Deng (said,) “What disappointed me … is to see … (our) Prime Minister … trying to say these are ‘African gangs’ … There are no gangs in Victoria … There are just a group of young kids … and they are terrorising people because they are going in a group.”

Hallelujah! Mark Schliebs, The Australian, December 28:

Six youths were arrested (after a brawl and) robbery (at a Vietnamese restaurant) in St Albans … on Christmas Eve.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/cutandpaste/you-can-count-on-the-victorian-coppers-to-arrest-an-african-thug-eventually/news-story/b923466a90aabebbc81b238458fe678b