Five machetes seized in Taylors Lakes as part of Op Pulse

Eagle-eyed police have arrested four teenage boys and located and seized five machetes at a shopping centre in Taylors Lakes.

Officers were on patrol as part of Operation Pulse, which sees teams of police and Protective Service Officers (PSOs) patrolling four major metropolitan shopping centres each day.

While on patrol, officers first noticed a male in the food court with what appears to be machetes concealed in his pants about 1pm on Thursday 30 April.

As police approached the boy, he fled the scene on foot.

After a short foot chase, the boy was stopped in a nearby car park.

The 17-year-old was searched, with officers allegedly locating and seizing a machete.

He was arrested and is expected to be charged on summons with possess prohibited weapon.

A short time later, police were made aware of three males allegedly stealing items from a store.

Officers followed the boys as they left the centre and headed to a car parked near a train centre carpark nearby.

A search of the car revealed four machetes, and the males were arrested.

The boys, aged 16, 12 and 16 are expected to be charged on summons with for shopsteal and possess prohibited weapon.

Operation Pulse first commenced on 8 December 2025 and has been extended to the end of 2026.

Police and PSOs will continue to patrol four major shopping centres each day, with sites of focus including Pacific Werribee, Bayside Frankston, Highpoint, Fountain Gate, Northland, Watergardens, Southland, and Eastland.

All shifts are voluntary, meaning there is no impact on the rail network as PSOs are working at shopping centres in addition to existing shifts.

Quotes attributable to Superintendent Matt Baynes:

“As part of Operation Pulse, our officers and PSOs have made over 1000 arrests since the operation began in December 2025.

Our officers are out every day in shopping centres, engaging with the public and working to stop potential incidents before they occur.

Everyone has a right to feel safe in public. Our message to those that want to come to a shopping centre with weapons is clear - you won’t get away with it, and we simply won’t stand for it”.

Katherine McLeod

Media Unit

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