A 16-year-old boy who was allegedly robbed of his phone, watch and shirt by a gang of brawling youths on a beachside rampage in Melbourne has been left traumatised.
Locals and tourists were allegedly attacked by close to 200 youths of African appearance who were involved in the violence at St Kilda beach early on Thursday morning.
Police struggled to contain the fighting, overwhelmed by the huge numbers of teen thugs.
Gangs of hundreds of youths have gone on a beachside rampage, brawling and robbing locals and tourists (pictured is one of the fights)
A 16-year-old boy (pictured) who was allegedly robbed of his phone, watch and shirt by the gang has been left traumatised, his father said
Alex Carter, the father of one teenage victim, said not only were his son’s belongings taken but claimed he was punched over and over again.
‘They left them standing half nude in the street,’ Mr Carter told 7News.
‘These guys are so clever the way they do it [the robberies], that it just sort of looks like a couple of teenagers having a bit of fun.’
Police are now appealing for witnesses to come forward and urging the offenders to turn themselves in.
Footage of the rolling brawls shows young men and women trading punches and kicks on the beachfront.
Shocked bystanders said close to 200 youths of African appearance were involved in the violence at Melbourne’s St Kilda beach early on Thursday morning (pictured is a McDonald’s restaurant damaged in one of the brawls)
Police struggled to contain the fighting, overwhelmed by the huge numbers of teen thugs (pictured)
Footage of the rolling brawls shows young men and women trading punches and kicks on the beachfront
Up to 60 youths clashed at a McDonald’s restaurant on The Esplanade, and police were called at 2:55am.
Inspector Jason Kelly called the actions of the teens unacceptable and said police are now hunting those responsible.
‘Unfortunately last night we had a large number of youth attend, of African appearance, who have engaged in anti-social behaviour,’ he said.
‘They’ve committed crimes, they’ve been involved in a number of assaults on the foreshore of St Kilda.’
Up to 60 youths clashed at a McDonald’s restaurant on The Esplanade, and police were called at 2:55am
Beachgoers eating at nearby restaurants applauded police for their efforts to keep the rampaging teens under control, but said there were simply too many involved.
‘Police officers handled it the best that they could, I think they were really outnumbers and struggled to get a handle on it,’ said one witness.
Anyone with any information or footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Inspector Jason Kelly called the actions of the teens unacceptable and said police are now hunting those responsible