Michaela Meade
Two Craigieburn sports clubs are concerned about the safety of their junior players following an increase in hoon activity at sporting reserves.
The presidents of two clubs said hoons were targeting Aston Fields and Highgate Reserve, where junior players from both clubs play.
One club president, who did not want to be named due to safety concerns, said the hoon activity is “pretty much constant” and has been occurring in the reserve carpark for “at least a few years”.
“Before it was a lot of unregistered dirt motorbikes, but now it’s cars as well,” he said.
“They’ve even resorted to bringing their own gravel, so their wheels spin more.
“We’ve constantly got kids as young as four walking in that carpark.
“In this day and age, protecting children is our main priority.“
A video seen by Star Weekly shows dirt bike riders hooning at Aston Fields just metres from children as young as four.
The president said that in another incident, he was walking to his car when a hoon on a modified bike “screamed” past and almost hit him.
“If there was a young kid there… there could have been a really serious incident.“
The president said the club felt police were not doing enough to address the problem.
“Immediately what I want is the safety of everyone.
“What I want for [the hoons] are some repercussions… Someone needs to make them accountable.”
Craigieburn Cricket Club president Gerard Laffan said the community is “marred” by hoon activity
“It illustrates some behaviour we certainly don’t want our junior players seeing,” Mr Laffan said.
“[It] is a blight on Craigieburn [and] not a good look for the municipality when opposition come to play our team.”
He has called for police to step up patrols around reserves.
Hume mayor Joseph Haweil said council and police recently met with sports clubs to discuss the issue.
“[Police have] committed to a whole range of measures to try and respond more proactively,“ Cr Haweil said.
“The police do the best that they can.
“I’ve not shied away from the police and shared my expectations.”
A Victoria Police spokesperson said police were patrolling high-risk areas, including Aston Fields.
“Craigieburn Police take illegal hoon driving incidents extremely seriously,” the spokesperson said.
“This type of behaviour can result in death and serious injury, and we know the community is sick of this irresponsible behaviour.
“We remain committed to holding those responsible for illegal hoon driving activity to account.“
Anyone who witnesses hoon activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
