A Melbourne teenager has spoken publicly for the first time after surviving what police have described as a senseless machete attack that left him seriously injured and reignited political debate over youth crime in Victoria.

The attack occurred about 6.15pm on June 20 at JW Manson Reserve in Wantirna, in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, where the then-17-year-old had stopped briefly while riding his Surron Ultra Bee HP electric motorcycle.

According to Victoria Police, two males approached the teenager without warning, knocked him from the e-bike and immediately launched a violent assault using machetes before stealing both his motorcycle and mobile phone. The e-bike alone was valued at approximately $10,000.

The teenager suffered multiple slash and stab wounds during the attack, including a deep wound to his shoulder. Despite his injuries, he managed to escape the attackers and stagger to nearby Selkirk Avenue, where a passing motorist called Triple Zero.

He was rushed to hospital, where he remained for four days undergoing treatment and surgery before eventually being discharged. Police said his injuries were serious but not life-threatening.

Speaking publicly after the incident, the victim described the terrifying moments as he desperately tried to escape.

He said he had stopped briefly to check his phone when he was suddenly knocked to the ground from behind.

“They started swinging the machetes at me when I was on the ground,” he recalled.

As he fled, he said the attackers chased after him while yelling, “Quick, just kill him,” leaving him convinced he would not survive the assault.

The teenager later said the shock initially prevented him from fully realising how badly he had been injured.

One of the wounds required dozens of stitches, while several others required surgical treatment.

Victoria Police have described the assault as “unprovoked” and “completely unacceptable.”

Senior Constable Samuel Beard condemned what he called an act of extreme cowardice, saying the offenders demonstrated a willingness to carry out serious violence in a public place during daylight hours.

“There is no toughness in what they’ve done,” he said, describing the attackers as “absolute cowards.”

Investigators have released CCTV images of two males believed to be able to assist with the investigation and are appealing for anyone with information, dashcam footage or CCTV from the area to contact Crime Stoppers.

Police believe the offenders fled on the stolen electric motorcycle immediately after the attack.

In response, Victoria Police increased patrols throughout the Knox area in an effort to reassure residents while detectives continue searching for those responsible.

The case has quickly become part of the broader political debate surrounding youth crime in Victoria.

Federal Liberal MP Jason Wood used the incident to criticise both the Victorian Labor Government and the Albanese Government, arguing that governments had failed to respond effectively as youth violence escalated.

Wood described the attack as heartbreaking, saying no child should have to endure such a traumatic experience.

He said the victim would likely carry both physical injuries and lasting psychological trauma long after leaving hospital.

The opposition MP accused the Victorian Government of ignoring warning signs as youth crime increased, arguing that repeat offenders had too often been granted bail without meaningful consequences.

He also criticised the state’s temporary machete disposal program, describing it as an inadequate response to growing community concerns about knife crime.

Turning his attention to Canberra, Wood further argued that the Albanese Government’s decision in its first federal budget to discontinue a $120 million youth engagement program removed support that had helped vulnerable young people remain connected to education, employment and mentoring opportunities.

The former federally funded initiative had focused on assisting young people considered at high risk of offending, including those transitioning out of youth detention through education, job training and mentoring designed to reduce reoffending.

Wood contended that early intervention programs were an important component of crime prevention alongside policing and sentencing reforms.

The Victorian Government has previously introduced a series of measures aimed at tackling knife crime, including strengthened laws restricting machete sales and temporary knife disposal initiatives, while police have expanded targeted operations against youth gangs and repeat violent offenders.

Supporters of those measures argue they represent part of a broader strategy combining enforcement, prevention and legislative reform.

Critics, however, say highly publicised attacks such as the Wantirna assault demonstrate that further action is required to deter offenders carrying dangerous weapons in public.

The incident has also renewed community concern over the growing popularity of high-powered electric motorcycles among young riders, with police noting that expensive e-bikes have increasingly become targets for violent thefts in several parts of Melbourne.

Investigators believe the attack on the teenager was motivated by robbery, although inquiries remain ongoing into whether the offenders were involved in other similar incidents.

Detective Acting Inspector Troy Andrews said investigators were determined to identify those responsible.

“This unprovoked and senseless attack on the victim is extremely concerning and completely unacceptable,” he said.

“Investigators have been working tirelessly in relation to finding those involved and to hold them to account for their actions.”

Police continue to urge anyone who witnessed the attack, recognises the suspects released in CCTV images or has any information that could assist investigators to contact Crime Stoppers as the search for the offenders continues.