Woolworths lockdown after machete brawl at Melbourne shopping centre in Doreen

Shocking footage has emerged of a machete brawl at a Doreen shopping centre that forced a Woolworths into lockdown, while a senior government minister insists its “tough” new bail laws are working.

A Woolworths was plunged into lockdown after two groups of youths brandishing machetes and wearing face masks brawled at a shopping centre in Melbourne’s northeast.

Two groups of youths emerged from cars near a shopping centre on Hazel Glen Drive at Doreen about 6pm on Thursday.

The Herald Sun understands the youths then ran into a shopping complex and headed towards Woolworths, which sparked a lockdown in the supermarket.

Police arrived at the scene and arrested a 17-year-old boy, who was bailed to appear at a Children’s Court at a later date.

An 18-year-old man from Doreen was also arrested and bailed to appear at the Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on January 16.

Police make an arrest at the scene.

Both were charged with affray and possessing a controlled weapon without excuse.

Other youths fled the scene as the police arrived.

Police believe the parties are known to each other.

Shops within the complex include Bakers Delight, Ferguson Plarre, Augustus Gelatery, and Woolworths, which went into lockdown after hearing about the commotion.

A Woolworths spokesman on Friday said: “Our Laurimar Town Centre store in Doreen was placed into lockdown yesterday in response to groups armed with edged weapons located outside”.

“We thank our store leaders for their diligent work prioritising the safety of our team members and customers.”

Wild scenes outside the Woolworths in Doreen. Picture: Supplied

Steve Antrobus, 71, has lived in Doreen for more than 20 years, but has only noticed an increase in local crime in the past 12 to 18 months.

“I’ve seen many more kids in the area, riding bikes and stealing from shops, the area is going downhill,” said Antrobus.

About to drop his two young granddaughters off at swimming lessons, Antrobus said he feared for their safety.

“They go to school near here and that thought is just dreadful,” he said.

Concerned about the increasing frequency of crime in Doreen, Antrobus said he and his wife will no longer shop at Laurimar Town Centre.

“We are going to go to Coles at Mernda, we feel it is more secure because it is next door to a police station.

“We used to go to cafes in the area, not anymore.”

The government on Friday maintained that its “tough” new bail laws were working.

Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said the reforms were helping to hold those committing “brazen and violent offences” to account.

She cited an increase in remand rates — 46 per cent for youth offenders — as evidence the changes were working.

Ms Williams said it would be “inappropriate” to comment on the specific decisions by judges but said “if we need to do more, then we’ve proven time and time again that we’re prepared to do so”.

Originally published as Woolworths lockdown after machete brawl at Melbourne shopping centre in Doreen