Five arrested following wild brawl in Preston shopping centre

Five females, one as young as 12, have been arrested following a wild brawl in a shopping centre food court.

At around 6.20pm on Friday, a fracas broke out between a group of girls and a young woman in the Northland centre in the Melbourne suburb of Preston.

Police patrolling the centre were forced to intervene as the alleged fighting broke out in the food court.

It involved four girls aged 12, 14, 16 and 17 and an 18-year-old woman – all of whom were arrested.

The 12-year-old was treated by paramedics and has been released pending further enquiries.

Police then interviewed the 18-year-old from Coburg North and the two other girls, aged 17 and 16 and from the Hume area. All three are expected to be charged on summons.

John McLaughlan, of Victoria Police’s media unit, said investigations into the skirmish are ongoing.

“Operation Pulse officers seized a knife which was allegedly produced during the incident,” he said in a statement,

“Banyule Crime Investigation Unit detectives will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Anybody who witnessed the brawl is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, with police also appealing for any footage of the incident.

Originally published as Five arrested following wild brawl in Preston shopping centre