Schools are warning students to stay alert while walking home after a spate of violent attacks, robberies and intimidation attempts in Melbourne's suburbs.
Students are encouraged to walk with other people, turn off noise cancelling headphones and take alternate routes to avoid being targeted by offenders, Melbourne's Xavier College recommended.
Extra police officers are patrolling "key locations" to reassure the community their kids are safe to walk home from school.
This comes as police investigate the alleged violent abductions of two teenagers.
An 18-year-old Victorian man was allegedly abducted, stabbed and released from a stolen car on September 10. Officers said four other people were in the car including three teenagers and one man.
The Air Wing unit and dog squad were hot on the trail of the alleged offenders after the vehicle was reported stolen by a Melbourne hire car company at 9.40pm.
The car's GPS tracking system led Victoria Police to its location.
Officers followed the silver Hyundai to an intersection in the north Melbourne suburb of Preston where they saw a man exit the car.
He had injuries to his face and was taken to hospital. Police believe he had been abducted and stabbed.
The pursuit continued to Barrow Street in Preston where police laid tyre deflation devices and the allegedly stolen car crashed into a parked Renault Megane.
The four people allegedly in the car bolted after the crash but the Air Wing unit flagged their location for officers on the ground.
Police said "a number of weapons" were found.
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A 20-year-old Northcote man was charged with car theft.
A 17-year-old Ivanhoe boy was charged with theft of motor vehicle, committing an indictable offence while on bail, failing to stop on police direction, failing to stop at a collision and unlicenced driving.
A 18-year-old Preston woman was charged with theft of motor vehicle, possessing a drug of dependence and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
A 16-year-old Heidelberg Heights girl was released pending further enquiries.
This comes after a another incident in Melbourne's south east on September 4 when a 14-year-old schoolboy was allegedly abducted, stabbed and released on a suburban street corner in Glen Huntly.
The violent attack left the boy with "life-altering injuries", police said.
Investigations continue as police search for the people responsible but two teens have been charged in connection to the incident.
A 15-year-old Cranbourne boy was arrested at 12.50pm on September 9 and charged with multiple counts of armed robbery, robbery, conduct endangering life, intentionally causing serious injury, theft of motor vehicle and theft.
A 14-year-old Frankston South boy was charged in connection to the alleged abduction on September 7.
Police said he was a known youth gang member and the principal suspect in the incident.
Anna Houlahan
Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
