A group of unruly teenagers, dubbed a 'brat pack' by authorities, caused chaos at Mordialloc Beach in Melbourne, leading to multiple brawls and a supermarket lockdown. The incident, which occurred on a second consecutive day of summer heat, saw up to 200 teenagers swarm the beach, clashing with police and causing distressing scenes. One particularly disturbing incident involved a 13-year-old girl being attacked by a pair of teenage girls, who punched, kicked, and stomped on her up to 20 times.
The police responded swiftly, deploying the riot squad, water police, and the police AirWing to the scene. Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Robert Hill described the behavior as 'unsatisfactory and unacceptable', vowing to hold the offenders accountable. A 15-year-old boy was arrested and interviewed, while three other teenagers aged 14 to 17 were also questioned. However, Hill emphasized that the police will track down every teenager involved, stating, 'Mark my words, each and every child offender will be spoken to by Victoria Police.'
The incident also involved a group of teenagers storming a nearby Woolworths, causing panic and allegedly stealing, smashing items, and terrorizing shoppers and staff. The group later congregated at Mordialloc Pier, where they hurled glass jars and bottles at police, leading to the use of capsicum spray to disperse the crowd. Despite the chaos, no emergency treatment was required, and no weapons were involved.
The police presence in the area will be increased over the next few days, and the incident coincides with the launch of Victoria Police's SummerSafe campaign, which aims to ensure beachgoers' safety through increased patrols. The campaign's launch comes in the wake of similar incidents at Bondi, causing significant alarm among beachgoers. The police are urging parents and guardians to take responsibility for their children's actions and contact CrimeStoppers if they recognize their kids among the offenders.
The beach party, organized through social media by a group of local teens, involved 150-200 teenagers from the Bentleigh area, Black Rock, and surrounding regions. Hill expressed frustration, stating that the police have better things to do than deploy to such incidents. The police are continuing their investigations, and beachgoers are reminded to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
