Northland Shopping Centre machete attack

This afternoon, the Northland Shopping Centre on Murray Road, Preston, was locked down as 10 men, believed to be from rival gangs, brawled.

Many were carrying knives, including machetes as an evacuation warning was called over Northland’s PA system.

Police and ambulance officers were called to the Murray Road shopping centre just after 2.30pm following reports of opposing groups fighting, some armed with knives.

Superintendent Lawson said police evacuated shoppers – whilst others sheltered in closed shops – and made arrests within six minutes of a triple-zero call being made.

She said two males were arrested, including a 15-year-old boy, but police were still working to identify and arrest eight other involved in the attack.

“I want to … reassure the community that this was not just some random thing that happened; it was a pre-organised gang meet-up where that affray has taken place,” Superintendent Lawson said.

One man in his 20s was taken to hospital with serious upper-body injuries, but was in a stable condition on Sunday afternoon.

The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated and polcie wish to speak with anyone in the area at the time who may have witnessed the altercation.

The centre remained locked down until its usual 5pm Sunday closing time.