Real Life in Melbourne

Terrifying ordeal: Joy Bennett, 21, and Josh Winnell, 24, with one of the rocks that damaged their car. Picture: Dan O'Brien.





African youths spark frenzied attack on motorists in Carlton North
Article from: Sunday Herald Sun
Kellie Cameron
November 04, 2007 12:00am

A GANG of African youths has attacked motorists in what police suspect was an attempted carjacking.

Peak-hour drivers cowered in their cars on a Carlton North street as a driver, her male passenger and another motorist were set upon.

Joy Bennett, 21, was waiting at lights in Rathdowne St when the gang began battering her late model Mitsubishi sedan with bricks, smashing its front and rear windscreens.

The gang punched Ms Bennett's passenger, Josh Winnell, through his open window and threw a rock through another window.

The mob also turned on a driver who had pulled over to use his mobile phone.

When the man refused to get out of his car, the group tried to smash the driver's side window.

Ms Bennett, of Montrose, said the men "came from nowhere".

"We were on our way home and had pulled up to the lights. We were there for a matter of seconds when a group of guys surrounded the car," she said.

"When the guy was at the window with the brick, I thought he was going to throw it and get me.

I was scared they were going to get Josh out of the car.

"I had no idea what was happening. I didn't know what they wanted. This doesn't happen, not in real life."

Mr Winnell, 24, said: "I remember them trying to grab and punch me. I was in shock. I wanted to get out of there." The attacks began on Rathdowne St, near Alexandra Pde, at 6.45pm on Friday. It was believed the gang might have been on an attempted car-jacking spree

Sen-Constable James Midgley said the three victims and witnesses had described the men as African.

"It's a very random and brazen attack that's occurred at a major intersection at peak hour," he said.

The incident is the latest of several involving Africans. Police came under siege recently in brawls involving about 200 youths that closed a suburban cinema and shops.

Those involved on Friday were described as in their late teens to early 20s. One wore a hooded black zip-up top with a white stripe.

Police urged anyone who saw the attacks or had information about the men involved to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

From:
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22698351-661,00.html

Victoria experiences new knife crime every three hours
Article from: Sunday Herald Sun
Liam Houlihan
November 04, 2007 12:00am

A THIRD of all killings in Victoria are committed with knives - more than any other weapon.
And every day about eight knife crimes are reported to police. That is an average of one every three hours.

The spread of attacks with knives, swords, glasses and syringes is revealed in an analysis of police and statistical data.

Critics say Melbourne's "stab city" reputation has been festering for years, but is only now being taken seriously.

A Sunday Herald Sun investigation has found knives were used in 2742 offences in the past financial year. That is nearly 229 a month.

The extent of the problem was revealed as stabbings at weekend parties become regular occurrences. Teen gangs have taken to arming themselves with meat cleavers, daggers, samurai swords and hunting knives.

There were 1162 stabbings and assaults involving knives in the past financial year.

Syringes, broken bottles, swords and knives were used in more than a quarter of robberies.

They were behind 12 per cent of abductions and kidnappings and almost 6 per cent of assaults.

The increased use of knives has led to a legal response from the Government.

From Thursday, offenders carrying a weapon in or near a licensed venue could be sentenced to four years in jail or a $52,857 fine.

Broken bottles can no longer be carried legally for self-defence.

"This is about tackling the crimes that matter to Victorians and sends a clear message that carrying a weapon is unacceptable," Police Minister Bob Cameron said.

Former Deputy Commissioner Bob Falconer, who was also WA chief commissioner, said the real knife figures would be even higher.

"There's a large number of gang and knife offences not reported by victims for a range of reasons," he said.

"There's a lot of knife wound injuries treated at hospitals and police wouldn't be told."

Mr Falconer said only education and enforcement would stem the carnage.

Flemington police station recently held an amnesty for illegal knives, with 25 handed in.

"It's an issue that we have these sorts of things out in the community," Sen-Sgt Kate Smith said.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22697860-2862,00.html