Police say the shopping centre went into lockdown as part of their own procedures after armed males were seen arguing. Photo: ABC / Peter Healy
A shopping centre in Melbourne's west has been locked down after the second incident involving machetes in a fortnight.
Victoria police said a group of between five and six males armed with machetes were arguing inside the CS Square shopping centre in Caroline Springs about 6:40pm (8.40pm NZT) on Friday.
The centre went into lockdown as police arrived and officers found the group had already fled the scene.
No injuries have been reported and police say the investigation is ongoing.
Authorities are urging any witnesses or anyone with footage of the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on (+61) 1800 333 000 or online.
The lockdown came after a dramatic pre-organised gang brawl involving machetes inside the Northland Shopping Centre in Preston forced its evacuation in May.
Seven people have since been arrested and charged over the Preston incident.
Following the incident, the Victorian government enacted a total sales ban on machetes on 28 May.
However, the possession of a machete will not become prohibited until a legislated ban comes into effect on 1 September.
The penalty for Victorians in possession of a machete will be a fine of more than AU$47,000 (NZ$51,000) or two years in jail.
- ABC
