AN INTERNET video featuring two young males engaged fighting in Brimbank has been viewed by more than 6800 people.
A YouTube user posted the video during December 2011 and an edited version of the clip – uploaded by the same user five months ago – has been viewed 40 times.
The YouTube user claims the video was filmed at Watergardens Shopping Centre – but Watergardens Town Centre manager Greg Balmforth, said “the incident shown did not occur within Watergardens Town Centre”.
The 53-second video begins with a group of young people standing outdoors in a public area.
One male with a shaved head confronts a shorter boy, who backs away but punches the taller youth – who falls and hits his head against a pole.
The taller male attempts to run away, but the shorter boy sits on top of his opponent and punches him several times to head and upper body.
YouTube statistics show the video has been watched more than 6840 times, with the top viewing locations listed as Australia, Rwanda and New Zealand.
Western suburbs youth worker Les Twentyman said young people needed to be aware uploading fight videos to the internet could have “major repercussions”.
“People can identify them and that can exclude any chance of them getting jobs in the future or getting into further study,” he said.
“The video can also be used in court to demonstrate to a magistrate that all these kids want to do is to go around and fight.”
Mr Balmforth said Watergardens “is committed to providing a safe and comfortable environment for our customers, retailers and employees”.
“We take this responsibility very seriously, which is why the Centre is monitored by a large security team 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with an extensive CCTV network throughout the Centre.
“These security measures are further bolstered by our close work with the local police.”
Brimbank Acting Police Inspector Tim O’Connor said a Safer Communities Taskforce has been working to target individuals who disrupt public disorder in “high risk activity areas” such as Watergardens.
