Police have seized 48 knives in the past five weeks and they say, concerningly, children as young as 13 have been found carrying knives.
In a spike in incidents involving knives, police have responded to carjackings, assaults and burglaries.
- On December 23, two men sitting in a parked car in Macgregor were threatened at knifepoint by a group who stole the vehicle.
- In another incident on December 31, a man was found to be in possession of a 18cm knife after having an argument with his partner at Gungahlin Marketplace.
- On January 3, a 10cm folding knife was found in the bag of a Summernats attendee who told police she had it for protection.
Insp Nigel Booth said: “We know the devastating consequences that knife crime can have, including serious injury or even death.
“A knife escalates what is likely already a serious situation and should be treated like dangerous weapons, not a fashion accessory.
“Another concern is that people have been caught carrying knives in crowded places which carries an additional element of risk to the public.”
Police say it is a serious offence to possess a knife in public where a person has no reasonable excuse to do so. “Personal protection” is not a lawful reason to carry a knife. Penalties include fines and imprisonment for up to six months.
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