Two boys charged following incident in Southbank

Police have charged two boys after they foiled what they allege to be another attempted arson attack on a licensed premises in Southbank yesterday morning.

Officers conducting proactive patrols around licensed premises on Southbank Boulevard noticed two boys in the vicinity of a restaurant just after 4am.

The boys were allegedly seen putting on balaclavas and latex gloves before police swooped-in, arresting the pair.

A vehicle, believed to be used by the pair was found parked near-by containing jerry cans and a sledge- hammer.

The two 16-year-old boys, both from the Hobsons Bay area, have since been charged with conspiracy to commit arson.

They will both appear before a children’s court today.