Racial brawl makes plaza ‘no go zone’

WARRING gangs of Sudanese and Pacific Islander youths clashed at a suburban shopping centre on Saturday night in the latest bout of violence affecting Melbourne’s western suburbs.

A group of up to 10 youths ambushed a carload of men sparking the all-in brawl outside the Pancake Parlour in Werribee Plaza.

The clash lasted for more than an hour and cars were used to ram each other.

A 22-year-old man was taken to hospital with leg injuries after being run over.

Police were later confronted by another group of Sudanese males – unrelated to the first disturbance – and had to use capsicum spray.

Terrified workers at Werribee Plaza say the roving gangs have made the shopping centre a no-go zone after dark.

Some restaurants have employed security staff.

Staff at Werribee Plaza said they are now too scared to work nights

Ed Cage was working at a nearby restaurant when he witnessed the chaos.

“They all kept shouting and screaming, some were even taking their shirts off and running around,” he said.

“Groups usually congregate here, there’s always trouble at night, it’s a hangout area.”

A Hungry Jack’s employee described the incident as “absolutely massive.”

“There were a lot of Sudanese people here, they were cursing and yelling and then it turned into a brawl,” she said.