Kingston Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance to identify a number of youths following assaults and robberies at Chelsea beach last night, Victoria Police say.
It is believed a group of youths were involved in three separate incidents on the beach at Swansea Road between 9.30pm and 10pm.
Investigators have been told a number of swimmers were in the water when the group approached their unattended belongings on the beach.
A male swimmer confronted the group and was assaulted before they fled taking mobile phones and purses.
A short time later the group approached three men and assaulted a 28-year-old man and stole his mobile phone.
The other two men, aged 25 and 30-years-old, were also assaulted.
The final incident occurred when the group approached a 19-year-old man sitting on the beach.
He was struck in the head with a glass bottle and assaulted with a plastic cricket bat and taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The offenders were perceived to be African in appearance, aged in their late teens or early 20’s.
No arrests have been made at this stage.
Investigators are keen to speak to any witnesses or anyone who may have footage of the incidents.
Earlier in the evening police were called to the beach after two groups got into an altercation over a jet ski near the pier just after 6pm.
A 20-year-old man was arrested for being drunk and criminal damage.
The people involved in the altercation are not connected to the later assaults and robbery.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
