Teenage girl arrested after machete brandished in school attack that left students injured

Police have arrested a teenage girl following a fight at a school in Melbourne’s outer north on Wednesday, where at least one person in a group of people who attacked students was armed with a machete.

The 16-year-old from the Whittlesea area has been interviewed by police in relation to attempted armed robbery and affray. She has been released pending summons.

The arrest follows an incident where officers are investigating reports that five people went to Greenvale Secondary College on Glencairn Drive about 3.10pm on Wednesday, prompting the school to be placed into lockdown.

“Police believe one person produced a machete at the scene but it was not used in the affray,” officers said in a statement.

“A scuffle broke out and two students sustained minor injuries but did not require treatment. The offending five people left the area in a vehicle and remain outstanding.

“Investigators believe this was a targeted incident, and the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

In a letter sent to parents and seen by The Age, school principal Mark Natoli confirmed the school was placed into lockdown.

He said that students and staff worked with “the college and Victoria Police to determine the accuracy and details of any incident that may have occurred”.

In a statement, the Department of Education said: “As a result of an incident at the school this afternoon, Greenvale Secondary College enacted its school safety procedures and will provide support to impacted staff and students.”

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