The three alleged offenders were arrested after raids on their homes and charged with offences including intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury, assault and robbery. The teens were arrested by officers from Taskforce Wayward, which was established early last year to target serious youth offending in Melbourne's west. Police revealed on Monday investigators from the team have made 197 arrests since March last year in relation to serious crimes such as home invasions and carjackings. North West Metro Region Commander Tim Hansen said the team had laid "hundreds of charges". “Where previously detectives would simply investigate and arrest, our detectives are now proactively engaged with high risk youth and working with proactive police to ensure these kids remain at school and are complying with bail conditions," Commander Hansen said. In May, Victoria Police said the taskforce was monitoring 64 young people, tracking them at home and school to keep them out of trouble.

Police also run regular curfew checks on the teens to ensure they are at home. “Families are embracing this model and are grateful of the police response. They don’t want to see their kids committing these crimes and it shows a unified approach when kids are getting the same message at home and from the police," he said. They are also currently investigating a violent home invasion on August 17, where a woman was punched in the face, threatened with a machete and had her car stolen by four young offenders described by police as African in appearance. No arrests have been made. Mounted police patrol the streets of Taylors Hill after two large groups of young people met at a local park to fight earlier this month. Credit:Eddie Jim It comes as police work to reassure residents of Taylors Hill in the city's west after over 100 youths converged on a local park to meet for a planned fight on August 8. A police car was damaged after rocks were thrown by some of the offenders, however there were no injuries reported.

Police said they will set up a mobile facility at Lonzo Park on Monday afternoon to provide community reassurance after the incident and encourage locals to come and talk to officers about their concerns. Loading Police believe the two groups of school-aged teens came from different parts of Melbourne in order to fight. No-one has been arrested, but detectives say they have spoken to two persons of interest and identified "a number of causal factors that contributed to what occurred in Taylors Hill". Commander Tim Hansen said those who gathered in the area included a significant number of females. “Police have also widely canvassed the Taylors Hill area, speaking to residents to review initial complaints of brawls and damage to bus shelters in the area," he said.

“We have not identified any people who directly witnessed these incidents or in a position to provide a statement that we can verify.” A fight between two girls also occurred later that night, but police are still unsure of where it took place. They have spoken to the victim as well as school representatives but the investigation remains open and is described as "sensitive in nature". Anyone with information or who sees the car is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au