Victoria’s newly implemented machete ban is already showing results, with thousands of weapons handed in during the first month of the statewide amnesty. However, knife-related crime continues to be a major concern for police and the community across Melbourne.
From 1 to 25 September, more than 3,200 machetes were surrendered at 24/7 safe disposal bins across the state, including at Pakenham, Dandenong, and Cranbourne police stations. A major retailer also voluntarily handed in over 3,400 weapons.
The Department of Justice and Community Safety confirmed that, while there is no LGA-specific breakdown, the initial figures demonstrate a strong community response.
This comes on top of 11,000 weapons seized by Victoria Police so far this year under expanded stop and search powers.
Minister for Police Anthony Carbines said the machete ban is “working to dry up the supply of these dangerous weapons on our streets”.
“I thank those who are doing the right thing and handing them in,” Mr Carbines said.
“We are listening to victims of crime, which is why we continue to strengthen our laws and crack down on offenders with this nation-leading ban.
“This ban builds on our expanded stop and search powers so Victoria Police can declare any place a designated search area if they believe violence will occur, and a tougher bail test for knife crimes.”
However, in a cruel twist, recent crime statistics suggest that knife crime remains a key concern for police and the community, following several incidents and tragedies reported across Melbourne, including in local areas.
The recent Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) does not specifically record the number of knife related offences, but:
– Prohibited and controlled weapons offences (including knives and items such as knuckle dusters, batons and tasers) increased to 11,075.
– Victoria Police intelligence indicates that at the end of August, Victoria Police had seized almost 11,000 edged weapons in the previous year.
Leader of Opposition, Brad Battin said “there is only one way to measure the success or failure of the new machete laws and that is whether there are less crimes, less assaults and less injuries”.
“The number of weapons surrendered is immaterial if people are still being assaulted in their homes and on our streets,” Mr Battin said.
“We need to change the existing culture from ’anything goes’ to ’consequences for your actions’”.
