Four Charged After Alleged Machete Brawl in Melbourne's CBD

Police have charged four young people, who were all on bail, after an alleged machete brawl in Melbourne's CBD early on Sunday morning. Two people received serious injuries during the altercation at the intersection of Elizabeth and Flinders streets, near Flinders Station. Police said the incident occurred at about 5am after a verbal dispute between two females escalated. "Others within their respective groups got involved," a spokesperson said. "The incident escalated and one male brandishing a machete chased two males and allegedly slashed both, causing serious injuries to the hand of one male and the arm of the other." Six people, aged between 16 and 23, were arrested in relation to the incident. Four of those were charged with various offences, including committing an indictable offence while on bail. A 17-year-old male from the Brimbank area was also charged with intentionally causing injury in circumstances of gross violence, affray, as well as possessing a prohibited weapon and drugs. A 19-year-old man from Bacchus Marsh and a 16-year-old female from the Banyule area were both charged with affray, while a 23-year-old man from Laverton was charged with theft. The 16- and 23-year-olds were let out on bail to appear in court at a later date. Police said they gave a 17-year-old girl a caution for possession of drugs, while another young woman was released without charge. The investigation continues, and police have urged any witnesses to come forward with information.