A violent machete attack has marred New Year's Eve celebrations on one of Melbourne's most famous late-night strips, leaving two young men with serious injuries. The incident occurred outside the Universal Restaurant on Lygon Street in Carlton, a popular dining and entertainment precinct.
Chaos on Lygon Street
Emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 11.45pm on New Year's Eve after receiving frantic reports of a stabbing from revellers. It is believed a group of seven men, armed with knives and machetes, attacked two men before fleeing the area in waiting cars.
The victims, identified as a 20-year-old man from Heidelberg West and an 18-year-old man from New South Wales, sustained serious injuries in the assault. They were both transported to hospital for treatment. The area outside the restaurant remained cordoned off as Victoria Police continue their investigation into the brazen attack.
Nationwide Police Crackdown on NYE
This violent episode unfolded against a backdrop of significantly heightened security across Australia's major cities. Authorities deployed record numbers of officers for the 2025/2026 celebrations, partly in response to the Bondi Beach terror attack earlier in the year.
In New South Wales, more than 2,500 officers were deployed across Sydney Harbour and foreshore areas. Specialist police carrying long-arm weapons were a visible presence, aimed at providing a sense of security to the massive crowds. The operation resulted in 38 arrests across Greater Sydney for offences including assault, affray, and offensive conduct.
Notable incidents in Sydney included the arrest of a 19-year-old man in Dover Heights who was allegedly carrying a shisha pipe resembling a replica firearm. In Guildford, a fireworks incident in Bright Park led to two girls, aged 12 and 14, being treated for non-life-threatening injuries and four arrests.
Arrests Across Other States
The police crackdown was not confined to Sydney. In Brisbane, seven people were arrested on ten offences, with police seizing scissors, a knife, and a box cutter. One incident involved a 36-year-old man allegedly assaulting two teenagers with a pair of scissors.
South Australia saw several serious incidents, including a serious assault in Adelaide's CBD that left a 29-year-old man injured, and the arrest of a man allegedly armed with an axe on a suspected stolen moped in Edwardstown.
Back in Victoria, aside from the Lygon Street attack, police made 18 arrests for various offences and reported a staggering 313 fireworks-related incidents, several causing serious injury.
A Sombre Start to 2026
The evening was marked by a poignant tribute to the victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack, casting a reflective tone over the celebrations for many. NSW Premier Chris Minns had warned revellers that police would have a low tolerance for anti-social behaviour, a message echoed by the significant police presence nationwide.
The machete attack in Carlton and the wave of arrests highlight the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement during major public holidays, even with substantial resources deployed. Investigations into the Lygon Street assault are ongoing as police search for the seven suspects involved.
