Updated ,first published
Police have arrested six people, including four armed with machetes, at Flinders Street Station after a fight within the precinct that left a boy in hospital on Saturday night.
A video circulating online shows two young men surrounded by officers on a platform next to a train.
The area underneath the clocks at the corner of Flinders and Swanston streets was taped off about 10.30pm. The area was busy with people visiting the upstairs ballroom for an exhibit that forms part of the ongoing Rising festival.
Victoria Police later confirmed officers swooped on the group – a 22-year-old and five teenagers – after an affray at the station.
“Four people who had boarded a train at a platform were arrested after they were found armed with machetes by Protective Service Officers. The weapons were seized. Another two people were arrested within the precinct,” police said in a statement.
“It was later discovered a 17-year-old had been injured during the affray. He was taken to hospital with a laceration to his arm.”
“Of the six arrested, a 22-year-old has been charged with affray, reckless cause injury, assault with a weapon and possess prohibited weapon.”
“He has been bailed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 27 November.”
“The remaining five, aged 13, 14, 15 and two 16-year-olds, have been released pending further inquiries.”
Under laws that came into effect last September, people can be fined up to $48,000 or jailed for two years for possessing a machete.
There is also now a permanent ban on selling machetes in Victoria after a string of high-profile offences in Melbourne in 2025.
Meanwhile, police have revealed that a 16-year-old boy, who allegedly attacked a homeless man in regional Victoria alongside several others, was on bail at the time.
The teenager was arrested at Bendigo railway station on Saturday night, two days after allegedly setting upon a 41-year-old man in central Bendigo.
Up to six boys attacked the man in Bath Lane before fleeing the scene. The injured man then ran to a nearby sports bar seeking help and was later hospitalised with suspected stab wounds.
“The boy from the Greater Bendigo area has been remanded in custody to appear before a children’s court,” police said in a statement on Sunday morning. “The investigation remains ongoing.”
Following the incident, Victoria Police Detective Acting Sergeant Justin Ludeman called the group’s behaviour “extremely cowardly”.
“This male is just going about his everyday business and he appears to have just been set upon by these four,” he told reporters on Friday.
The area in which the incident occurred falls just outside the electorate of Premier Jacinta Allan, whose state government has faced intense scrutiny over its attempts to address crime by controlling the availability of weapons and laws governing bail.
“That was an absolutely horrifying incident and my thoughts are with the victim and their family and loved ones,” she said when asked about the incident on Thursday.
“I’m advised that police are investigating, and if there is anyone in the community who can assist police in that investigation, I would encourage them to provide any information they may have.”
Allan denied police were powerless to deal with repeat offenders.
