By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Police have been called out to manage an estimated 100-plus unruly youths in Banjo Patterson Reserve, Lynbrook.
At least 10 police vehicles, including Public Order Response cars, attended the mass assembly in the Lynbrook park just after 7.30pm on 3 October.
They dispersed the youths onto trains at Lynbrook railway station – causing reported fear and bedlam among commuters.
A witness described on Facebook of large numbers holding train doors open, screaming abuse and fighting as Protective Services Officers looked on.
“It takes a lot to shock me but I was lost for words.
“Train couldn’t leave as it couldn’t close its doors and (the) poor driver could only toot its horn.
“Kids 1 … Cops 0.”
A Victoria Police spokesman said they were initially responding to a report of an assault at Banjo Patterson Reserve.
“But no victims made themselves known to police and no offences were detected.
“The youths were asked to move on, with the majority catching trains at a nearby station.
“No further incidents have been reported to police.”
Another witness followed a large group of youths getting off at Dandenong railway station and being managed by police in central Dandenong until close to midnight.
He claims to have seen two youths handcuffed and taken into custody at Dandenong. There were up to 25 police cars involved at Lynbrook and Dandenong, he said.
“I’ve never seen that happen in front of my eyes.
“The police make it sound like nothing was wrong.”
He said the mob didn’t appear to be violent, just an “absolute nuisance”.
“They were causing trouble with police, not letting through cars on Foster Street. A few were throwing things at cars.
“To be honest, there was a lot of yelling out and abuse at cops and random people – there was nothing physical.”
He said police moved the group on from in front of the station to nearby streets.
“Cops were everywhere. They chased them off to another street and dispersed them. It was like they were playing chasey-chasey with them.
“They seemed powerless to stop it.”
