Victoria Police Search for 11 Teenage Boys After Brothers Slashed With Machete

Victoria Police allege the two boys were lured to a park and attacked.

A CCTV image of some of the boys police believe could assist with their enquiries into a machete attack in Caroline Springs, Victoria, on Dec. 30, 2025. Courtesy of Victoria Police

Victoria Police are seeking help from the public to locate a group of boys who they say ambushed two teenage brothers in the lakeside Melbourne suburb of Caroline Springs.

At least one teen is said to have brandished a machete.

Melton Crime Investigation Unit detectives allege the two victims, both aged 15, were confronted by a group of 11 teenage boys at a nature reserve off Garretty Road around 5.40 p.m. on Dec. 30.

Police believe the incident took place after an online argument and that the victims were lured to the location.

Police say some of the teens arrived in the pictured vehicle. Courtesy of Victoria Police

It is not believed the parties knew each other prior to their meeting.

Following several Triple Zero calls from witnesses, police say they arrived to find one teenage victim with “significant slash injuries” to his back and arm, while the other boy received cuts to his face.

Both boys were taken to hospital to be treated for serious injuries.

The alleged attackers fled the scene, according to police.

Detectives say the alleged attackers appear to be aged from 15-18, with some having an Asian appearance.

“Investigators are appealing for anyone who may recognise some of the distinctive pieces of clothing worn by some of the offenders to please come forward,” a Victoria Police statement said.

“The investigation into the incident, which appears targeted following the online argument, remains ongoing.”

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Machete Concerns Plague Victoria

The incident comes following a horror New Year’s Eve attack in Melbourne where a group of men wielding machetes and knives left two men with serious injuries.

Machetes have been banned in Victoria since last year following a string of violent attacks, with penalties of up to two years’ prison or $47,000 in fines.

Machete crime, has however, continued despite a temporary and later permanent ban, and despite the government’s installation of machete amnesty disposal bins.

In October, a teenager was stabbed with machetes at a petrol station after the full ban came into effect.

Victorian Minister for Police Anthony Carbines poses for a photo with a Machete Amnesty Safety Disposal Bin after announcement on the state's machete ban at Melbourne West Police Station in Melbourne in Victoria, Australia, July 31, 2025. AAP Image/Joel Carrett

A Consumer Affairs machete taskforce was established by the state government to inspect physical and online stores for compliance.

Following the ban, Victorian Chief Police Commissioner Mike Bush told media more than 15,000 knives and machetes had been removed in 2025.

“I am acutely aware of how much concern knife crime generates in the Victorian community, with multiple recent incidents striking at the heart of how safe people are and how safe people feel,” he said.