Three teenage boys allegedly threatened staff and patrons at a Ballina CBD hotel yesterday afternoon, with one producing a machete before the group fled on e-bikes.

Police were called to the Henry Rous Hotel, on the corner of River and Moon streets, just after 5pm on Friday following reports teenagers were threatening staff.

Officers from Richmond Police District attended and were told the three boys had harassed and threatened staff and patrons.

Police say one of the teenagers produced a machete during the incident.

The group fled on e-bikes before officers arrived.

Police located one member of the group nearby and searched him before releasing him pending further investigations.

Inquiries are continuing.

The incident follows a series of recent weapons-related incidents in Ballina, including an alleged machete attack in River Street last month which left a 22-year-old man with a serious leg wound.

Police have appealed for anyone with CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage of Friday’s incident to come forward.

The appeal comes as Ballina Shire Council begins rolling out its new $1 million CCTV Community Safety Network across the CBD.

The River and Moon streets intersection, where Friday’s incident occurred, is one of the locations earmarked for cameras under the new network.

Once operational, NSW Police will have access to footage from the system to assist with investigations and operational responses.

Anyone with information or footage that could assist police in relation to the latest incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.