Police have appealed for public help to identify these young people who they wish to speak to in relation to an assault at Newport Railway Station. 89079 Picture: CONTRIBUTED
By ALESHA CAPONE
TWO railway officers have been bashed and spat on by a group of youths at Newport Railway Station.
Police have appealed for public help to identify a group of young people – including boys and girls – captured on CCTV after the attack.
Sergeant Robert Stanwick from Altona North Police Station is investigating the incident which occurred at around 3.45pm on Friday 12 October.
Sgt Stanwick said a pair of male Metro authorised officers were called to a Werribee-bound train after a group of young people committed a variety of offences.
“It looked like they were having a punch-on on the train and causing trouble which worried the other passengers,” he said.
“When the transit officers got on they started to bash the officers which spilled out onto the platform.
“They basically just punched and hit them and one spat on them. They also threatened them and swore at them.
“One of the officers is very concerned due to the possibility of infectious diseases as the offender’s saliva landed in his mouth.
“It’s quite a disgusting act and especially spitting in people’s mouths, with the worries about health these days.
“There were around 10 to 15 youths who milled about on the platform while it was happening and three males who did the actual assaulting.
“Police are seeking the identities of the assailants involved, who are believed to be from the Laverton area.”
Sgt Stanwick said the youths who police which to speak to about the assault appear on the CCTV footage to be aged around 15 or 16.
He said the Metro officers were “shaken but not injured” after being attacked by the youths.
He said a number of commuters standing on Platform 2 at Newport Railway Station witnessed the incident.
Anyone with information or who can help identify the young people captured on CCTV after the assault can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
