Three of the arrested young people needed medical help due to alcohol and drug intoxication, police said.
Victoria police arrested eight youths over the weekend in an attempt to quell an escalation of violent crime and vandalism in the city center.
Three of the arrested young people needed medical help due to alcohol and drug intoxication.
Police also seized knives, drugs and alcohol.
Police said parents were called to retrieve their teenagers from VicPD cells, where they were informed of the conditions of release, including orders not to return to the city center.
“I have never seen young people come to the city center in the past, gather in groups of up to 50 or more, use alcohol or drugs and then commit this level of violence and vandalism,” Const said. Mark Jenkins of the department’s public services department said in a statement. “These were successive public calls during our deployment on Friday night.”
Police said last week that young people from surrounding municipalities stormed the city center on weekends to drink and use drugs, then went on a rampage that included gun attacks, random attacks on unsuspecting people and acts of mischief, vandalism and property damage.
VicPD has stepped up its core presence in response to more than two dozen calls related to youth violence and vandalism over a three-week period.
Police arrested six youths on Friday for various incidents, including breach of condition, vandalism, gun ownership and social intoxication.
A scooter was damaged in Bastion Square by a group of young people. Officials contacted the owner, who is facing repairs worth several hundred dollars for a broken windshield and other damage.
A window was also smashed by young people on View Street, despite the presence of police nearby. Two were arrested and charged with an accident.
Police made two more arrests for vandalism on Saturday night after businesses were targeted at 1,200 blocks on Douglas Street.
No casualties were reported Friday and Saturday night.
VicPD said it continues to work with community policing partners, school districts across the region, private schools, BC Transit, regional municipalities, community groups, parents and families to address the issue.
Police said officers will return to key locations this weekend.
Anyone who sees a group attacking someone or damaging property is asked to call 911. Anyone who has any information about these incidents is asked to call the VicPD Reporting Bureau at 250-995-7654, ext. . 1
dkloster@timescolonist.com
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