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Caroline Springs Square in Melbourne thrown into lockdown after machete-wielding teens spotted, days after ban takes effect
A Victorian shopping centre was thrown into lockdown after a group of teenagers were seen with machetes — less than two weeks after the state's ban on the weapons came into effect.
About five or six teenage boys, reportedly armed with machetes, were spotted arguing inside Caroline Springs Square Shopping Centre in Melbourne about 6.40pm on Friday, police said.
Shop owners scrambled to flee upon seeing the weapons.
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'I was so scared, I quickly shut down the café,' one told 7NEWS.
'When we saw the knives, we were scared and ran far away,' another witness said.
CS Square Centre management told The Age it had initiated a lockdown in response to the incident.
By the time police arrived, the teens had already fled the scene.
Shop owner Bhanush Sharma told The Age the lockdown lasted around 25 to 30 minutes.
No injuries were reported, police confirmed.
Less than two weeks ago, Northland Shopping Centre was also placed into lockdown on May 25, after rival gangs armed with machetes chased each other through the complex.
The Victorian government fast-tracked its planned machete ban, .
However, the ban on possession will not take effect until September 1.
Those caught with a prohibited weapon in Victoria can face up to two years in prison or a fine of more than $47,000.
