The Canberra Liberals are calling for tougher knife crime laws and expanded police search powers following an incident at the Canberra Centre on Friday evening that has reignited concerns about public safety.

Police report that a group of youths, some allegedly armed with knives, were involved in an altercation at the Civic shopping centre. No injuries were reported.

Shadow Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Community Safety Deborah Morris said current legislation was not keeping pace with the risks posed by knife-related offences, particularly among young people.

“Recent incidents have made it clear that knife crime is an increasing concern in our community, and Canberrans are rightly worried about their safety,” Ms Morris said.

The opposition is pushing for expanded use of metal-detecting “wanding” powers, which would allow police to scan individuals for weapons in high-risk areas such as entertainment precincts and major events.

Ms Morris said the measure would act as both a deterrent and an early intervention tool.

“It’s about giving police the ability to act before a weapon is used, rather than after someone has already been harmed,” she said.

The Liberals are also advocating for a stronger response to youth offending, including a mix of early intervention strategies and tougher consequences for repeat offenders.

“This is not about targeting young people unfairly, it’s about recognising that a small number of repeat offenders are putting the broader community at risk,” Ms Morris said.

Alleged knife incident at Canberra Centre