Machete thugs run riot at NRL ‘Harmony’ event

A suspicious machete fight broke out outside a public sporting event after police attacked teenage thugs and the prime minister insisted the state was safe.

A large group of teenagers, believed to be armed with machetes, got into a fight after NRL Victoria’s Harmony Cup at Broadmeadows in Melbourne’s north on Saturday night.

A 19-year-old man was found nearby with serious stab wounds to his torso.

Detective Sergeant Matthew Feben said up to 1,000 people dispersed from the rugby league event when the fight broke out.

“The area was pretty densely populated at the time,” he told reporters Sunday morning.

“There was a large group leaving the area.

“Police are investigating the possibility that they may have attended this event.”

Det Sgt Feben said the offenders were described as being in their teens and armed with machetes on the initial triple zero call.

The 19-year-old victim, from the Hume district, is in a stable condition in hospital but is not co-operating with police.

No arrests were made because the suspects fled before police arrived.

Detectives are investigating whether the fight is linked to another incident on Friday night, when teenagers armed with machetes were seen running through the three-day event.

The Harmony Cup is a nine-a-side team competition that gives players and volunteers the chance to represent their country or local community.

Det Sgt Matthew Feben was highly concerned by the “appalling” behavior and described the incident as normally peaceful.

“It is absolutely unacceptable anywhere for young people, or anyone else, to be armed with a machete,” he said.

“Police spend a lot of time and energy getting these weapons off the street.

“13,000 bladed weapons have been seized in the last 12 months, which equates to 47 per day.”

Prime Minister Jacinta Allan said another 5,200 machetes were collected from bins and approximately 3,400 were removed from shelves as part of the province’s ban on the possession and sale of these machetes.

“We’re removing more of these dangerous weapons from our streets than any other state,” he said

“There are more than 20,000 of these dangerous weapons in all.”

Ms Allan acknowledged machetes had caused distress and concern in Victoria, but argued the state was safe despite crime rates reaching a 20-year high.

The Prime Minister reminded Victorians that the three-month machete amnesty will expire at the end of November, followed by prison sentences and “heavy” fines.

It comes after the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry launched a survey to measure the cost of criminal activity and anti-social behavior for businesses.

Responding to anecdotal reports of theft, damage and security concerns, the survey is the first of its kind by the peak body.

It will provide data on the extent of the problems but also focus on solutions, and CEO Sally Perde will warn leaders not to ignore it.

“We need to turn this situation around,” he told Melbourne radio station 3AW.

The survey will remain open to all Victorian businesses until November 11.