Harrowing scenes unfolded on an inner-city street in Melbourne yesterday as a gang of masked youths allegedly used poles, a machete and a sledgehammer to attack two people in broad daylight.

CCTV footage shows a group of balaclava-clad young people hanging out of the sunroof of a car as it drove down Bay Street in Port Melbourne before the attack yesterday afternoon.

It’s believed they were seaching for their targets. The car then stopped and several people, including one person appearing to carry a large knife, jumped out and began running.


CCTV footage shows a group of balaclava-clad young people hanging out of the sunroof.© 9News

 

Police were then called to reports of an attack on Lalor Street, located just a few hundred metres away, about 3.15pm.

It is understood the group of six hooded thugs chased two young people down the street.

Witnesses said the group violently attacked the pair with a pole and a machete.

“It was a ruckus… there was screaming,” resident Hilary told 9News.

“I left SA to escape the violence… I moved to the UK, I witnessed the same thing and now it’s right outside my front door in Australia.”

A tradie who attempted to intervene by throwing a sledgehammer at the fray said one of the thugs took it and used it as a weapon.

Families say they were cowering inside their homes in fear as the violent scenes took place on their doorstep.

3AW’s Ross Stevenson said he has “never seen” an incident like this in Melbourne.

“It looks like a scene from Syria,” he said of the footage.

Witnesses said the group fled the area in a white Haval SUV, which was later spotted at Junction Oval in St Kilda.

The group, including the targets of the attack, left the scene before police arrived.


It is understood a group of hooded thugs chased two young people down the street.© 9News


Witnesses said the group fled the area in a white Haval SUV.© 9News

 

“No victims have come forward to report the incident to police,” a spokesperson for Victoria Police said.

“There were no reports of weapons involved.”

The car has not been found, police added.

No arrests have been made.