UPDATE:
One child has been charged and a second one will be charged after they were allegedly involved in a violent incident at a shopping centre in Melton on Monday.
Police responded to the incident at the Woodgrove Shopping Centre on Barries Road about 5pm following reports of a group of males fighting, armed with edged weapons.
A boy, aged 15 from Weir Views, was located with head injuries and was conveyed to hospital where he remains.
Investigators arrested two boys, a 15-year-old from Melton South and 16-year-old from Harkness.
The 16-year-old has been charged with affray, possess prohibited weapon and being armed with criminal intent and will be directly presented to a children’s court this afternoon.
The 15-year-old will be charged with affray, possess controlled weapon and being armed with criminal intent and will then be directly presented to a children’s court.
The boy who remains in hospital will be interviewed about the incident upon release from hospital.
EARLLIER
Police are investigating after a male received injuries at the Woodgrove Shopping Centre on Monday.
It is believed a group of males were fighting at the Barries Road complex around 5pm, possibly armed with edged weapons.
One of the males has been taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The others involved are yet to be located at this stage.
Shoppers took to local Facebook pages following the incident with some reports saying chairs were thrown and one guy was waving a machete around.
Centre manager Kylie Robertson said the centre’s security personnel rapidly responded to a security incident yesterday with support from police.
“We are grateful no customers, retailers or security were harmed and we continue to assist authorities with their investigation,” she said.
“The safety and wellbeing of our entire Woodgrove community is always our overriding concern and something we take very seriously.
“Our centre is patrolled by our dedicated security team 24 hours a day seven days a week, with support from an extensive CCTV network.”
Ms Robertson said to provide the community with some assurance and additional comfort following the tragic events that occurred at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday, they have already deployed additional security staff on site and have worked with Melton police to support a heightened level of security across the local area.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
