Bayswater Police warn community on vigilante action

BAYSWATER Police officer-in-charge John Waghorn has urged the community not to take vigilante action after an alleged group assault in Bayswater.

About 10.30pm on January 9, Police attended a house on Langley Street which had its window smashed for the third time in a week.

An hour later, officers returned to respond to an alleged assault on two men, involving about eight kids and a woman, believed to be their mother.

The group confronted one of the men, with the belief he was linked to a separate police investigation.

However, they realised they confronted the wrong man and went on to attack the second man who saw the assault and was their real target.

Both men were taken to hospital and sustained injuries.

The woman was charged with disorderly conduct and refused bail.

Senior Sergeant Waghorn said the woman, who was intoxicated , allegedly held a knife to one of the men’s throat.

“She was the person who instigated the confrontation with the wrong person…we will charge her with further offences,” he said.

“Clearly it is a vigilante type response.”

Snr Sgt Waghorn said the investigation was ongoing and urged witnesses to come forward with information.

He said vigilantes ran the risk of becoming villains as opposed to potential victims.

“The thrust of the police investigation should be allowed to continue unimpeded or without any obstruction and without any of this vigilante type action.

“Vigilante action could also result in the wrong person being assaulted and obviously injured as in this case.

“There is no place in the community for vigilante action.”