NIGHTMARE ON THE 6.4030

Teens surround Lara train, terrifying trapped passengers

A GEELONG-bound train was stopped and terrified passengers locked into their carriages as about 30 teenagers rampaged at Lara station, banging on windows, throwing bicycles and menacing travellers.

A GEELONG-bound train was stopped and passengers locked into their carriages as around 30 teenagers rampaged at Lara station on Saturday night.

Passengers aboard the 6.40pm train from Southern Cross took to social media to share their fears as a “threatening” gang of youths were reportedly “on a rampage banging (on) train windows” and “stealing and throwing around bikes”. Police believe the group had travelled to Lara for a planned fight.

Ocean Grove resident Helen, who did not want her surname published, was aboard the train after watching the AFL preliminary final at Federation Square. Pulling into Lara station, she saw a group of about 30 youths, who appeared to be aged between 15 and 17, on the platform.

“After a few minutes … V/ Line announced there was a problem on the platform and that nobody was to get off the train for their own safety, and no one was going to get on the train for our safety,” she said.

“I couldn’t see any weapons, but they (had a) a threatening demeanour, gang stuff.

“You could see the boys walking up and down the train on the platform. It was like they were trying to threaten the passengers … frighten them.” She said passengers in her carriage were “extremely scared.”

Passengers were eventually advised that if they wanted to get off the train they should head to the first carriage, she said. The train was held up at the station for at least 20 minutes.

“There were three people in my carriage that obviously wanted to get off … and the expression on their faces as they walked passed me, they looked like they were scared to death,” she said.

“I think that V/Line did the right thing by not opening the doors because these kids could have done anything.”

Helen said there were Protective Service Officers on the platform, and police attended the scene. She said the youths were of caucasian appearance.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said “police were called to Lara train station following reports of (a) large group of disruptive youths about 6.30pm on Saturday”.

“Upon police arrival all youths moved on without incident. Police maintained pres- ence in the area afterwards and there were no further incidents.”

Neighbourhood Watch Lara co-founder Helen Nihill said she understood the youths were not from Lara.

“I know they arrived in Lara and we’ve had this type of thing before,” Mrs Nihill said.

“(They come) to cause drama, cause fights.”

A V/Line spokeswoman said the rail service had zerotolerance for anti-social behaviour on public transport.