A swarm of youths have gathered and allegedly thrown a number of projectiles, leading to a police vehicle being damages.
Police were called to Taylors Hill, in Melbourne, following reports that a ‘large group of youths’ began to gather in the area at 5.30pm.
Police reported that ‘a number of projectiles, believed to be rocks, were thrown and a police vehicle was damaged’.
Police were called to Taylors Hill, in Melbourne, following reports that a ‘large group of youths’ began to gather in the area at 5.30pm
However despite damage to the police vehicle rear window there were no injuries or threat to community safety.
Victoria Police said that the youths, reported as being of African descent by the Herald Sun, left the area a short time later.
A Bronte Way resident told the publication that police told them to ‘stay inside’.
The resident said: ‘They told me to stay inside, lock the doors and yeah, it’s scary, I’ve got a nine-year-old and an eleven-year-old and they’re scared.’
Another resident told The Age: ‘This has happened multiple times… but it hasn’t happened for a good four or five months.’
In a statement Victoria Police said: ‘Police continue to make ongoing efforts to address community concerns about safety in the western suburbs as part of Operation Regnant.
However despite damage to a police vehicle rear window there were no injuries or threat to community safety
‘A number of specialist units were utilised including the Operations Response Unit and the Public Order Response Team to ensure public safety.’
Police air wing and the dog squad were also present.
It has also been reported by the Herald Sun that responding officers were wearing riot gear.
Police continued to monitor the area and will investigate damage to the vehicle.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make and online report here.
One resident told The Age: ‘This has happened multiple times… but it hasn’t happened for a good four or five months’