Knife toll rises

By Lia Bichel
POLICE are hunting for a group of men believed to be responsible for a stabbing at a community festival in Springvale on the weekend.
The incident was one of nine knife attacks in Melbourne over the weekend, causing great concern for the authorities.
The stabbing occurred about 11.30pm on Saturday in Burden Park, soon after the fireworks that ended the Summer Community Festival.
The festival, hosted by the Noble Park Keysborough Lions Club, is an annual event attracting thousands of people throughout the City of Greater Dandenong.
Investigators have been told that a 17-year-old and a friend were approached by five men, described as being of Asian appearance. One man was wearing a white singlet and sunglasses.
Police said there was an altercation, punches were thrown and the 17-year-old was stabbed twice in his lower back.
The attackers fled and the victim went to a first-aid tent where paramedics were called.
He was transported to The Alfred hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Festival co-ordinator Ashley Lewis said he was upset the stabbing occurred but said the incident “did not mar the event”.
“It happened after the festival closed so the event was still a success,” he said. “Police had actually told me during the event that everyone was well behaved so it’s disappointing something like that would happen after the Lions Club and volunteers put 12 months of time and effort into planning it.”
Alan Gordon, who is on the Lions Club board of directors, agreed the event was a success despite the stabbing.
“Probably more than 10,000 people of different nationalities turned up to the festival,” he said.“This was the 14th annual Summer Community Festival and there was a great turnout, showing the need to continue these type of multicultural events in the City of Greater Dandenong.”
Police are investigating the incident and urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or alternatively they could visit www.crimestoppers.com.au