Police arrest 15 during morning raids after brawl, stabbing

Police have arrested 15 young people after a 17-year-old was stabbed multiple times during an alleged carpark brawl at Hoppers Crossing.

Wayward Taskforce detectives swooped on homes across Melbourne's north-west on Friday morning, arresting and charging suspects as young as 13 with affray and violent disorder.

Detectives believe that up to 40 youths arranged to meet at a Derrimut Road carpark where an altercation took place, with a 17-year-old stabbed several times during the fight, about 5.30pm on May 23.

Sources have told The Age that friends drove the bleeding 17-year-old to Werribee Hospital for urgent medical attention to treat injuries to his chest, abdomen and torso. Police were then called in.

On Friday, officers executed warrants in Hoppers Crossing, Werribee, Point Cook, Deer Park, Burnside Heights, Tarneit, St Albans and Melton as part of their investigation.

The youngest arrested was a 13-year-old boy from St Albans and the oldest a 22-year-old man from Hoppers Crossing.

Fourteen of those charged were male. A 21-year-old woman from Melton West was also arrested.

Police said those arrested were also all charged with breaching the Chief Health Officer's COVID-19 directions, with the attached fines to be heard in front of a magistrate due to the youths' other alleged crimes.

A police spokeswoman said the 15-year-old from Point Cook and 16-year-olds from Werribee and Burnside Heights have been remanded in custody to face a children’s court at a later date.

Three others have been released on summons, while nine have been released on bail.

The investigation into the incident remains ongoing, and police urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppers.com.au.