Police have arrested a 31-year-old woman following the alleged assault of two Muslim women at Pacific Epping last week.
It is alleged the Pascoe Vale woman assaulted a 30-year-old Lalor woman and 26-year-old Wollert woman inside the shopping centre between 1.10-1.20pm on February 13.
Both women sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to the Northern Hospital for treatment.
Police will allege the victims were targeted due to wearing head coverings.
The Pascoe Vale woman was charged with intentionally and recklessly cause injury, unlawful assault and aggravated assault.
She will appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Investigators are also continuing to investigate a report of online threats being made against one of the victims.
In a statement, police said there was absolutely no place in our society for discriminatory, racist, or hate-based behaviour and such activity would not be tolerated.
The alleged attacks drew condemnation from the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Jacinta Allan.
Federal Scullin MP Andrew Giles, whose seat takes in Epping, also condemned the alleged incidents.
“Muslim Australians deserve to feel safe and respected,” he said.
Opposition multicultural affairs spokesperson and Northern Metropolitan MP Evan Mulholland said it was extremely upsetting that such attacks where alleged to have taken place in the northern community, which is home to a large Muslim population.
