'It can end in tragedy': Warning over hoons putting lives at risk in Melbourne

9News has uncovered a network of drivers causing chaos and damaging property, but Victoria’s top road cop warns police are coming down hard.

Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir has described the hoons’ behaviour as “garbage” and warned of harsh penalties for those who attend the meets.

Footage shows suburban streets turned into speedways, as daredevils career dangerously close to spectators at illegal hoon meets across the northern and south-eastern suburbs.

In one instance a man was struck by an out-of-control car, while another spectator clung to a pet cat.

“It’s really disappointing but not surprising,” Weir said.

“It can end in tragedy. It can end in injury or death.

“People will face serious criminal sanctions. People will go to jail,”

In the past few months, hoons have been organising secret meets to showcase their stunts, as the rivalry between the northern and south-eastern suburbs continues.

The hooligans try to avoid detection by announcing the meeting point just minutes before converging, but boast about their antics on social media.

Some have already been caught, and their vehicles confiscated.

“A lot of people whinge and whine, ‘Oh I haven’t got my vehicle,’ Bad luck. If you want to behave that way you will pay the price,” Weir said.

In 2019, at the height of the larger scale meets, a 22-year-old was struck and left with a broken pelvis, back and head injuries in Derrimut in the city’s west.

The hoon who hit him was jailed for nearly two and a half years.

Now these crooks plan smaller events to stay under the police radar.

The events are usually held in industrial estates when businesses are closed but police are relying on tips and CCTV from the public to help them respond and convict the criminals.

Weir urged people not to attend.

“We’ve had injury and deaths occur as a result of these events. Be part of the solution. Don’t be part of the problem.”