A recent incident in Melbourne has heightened concerns regarding public safety and knife crime, as a group of boys wielding machetes caused the lockdown of CS Square shopping centre in Caroline Springs on Friday evening. This event follows closely on the heels of another machete-related disturbance at Northland Shopping Centre in Preston, which occurred less than two weeks prior and resulted in a statewide ban on the sale of machetes.
Victoria Police reported that around 6:40 PM, five to six youths were seen arguing inside the shopping centre. The situation prompted an immediate lockdown until police arrived on the scene. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the individuals involved fled before authorities could detain them. The police are actively investigating the incident and encourage anyone with information or video footage to reach out to Crime Stoppers.
The previous incident at Northland Shopping Centre involved rival gangs which escalated into chaos, forcing shoppers to flee in distress as chaos ensued. Following that altercation, seven individuals aged between 15 and 21 were charged and are currently facing legal proceedings.
In response to the recent spikes in violence associated with machetes, Premier Jacinta Allan swiftly enacted a temporary ban on the sale of these weapons, which will remain in effect until September 1. Although possessing a machete remains legal for now, new legislation is set to criminalise both the sale and possession of these items once the ban is lifted. Violating this law will lead to severe penalties, including fines of over $47,000 and potential imprisonment for up to two years.
Premier Allan articulated her commitment to community safety, stating, “In Victoria, community safety comes first. We must never let places we meet become places we fear.” She expressed her disdain for machetes and indicated that she would continue to implement stringent laws to eradicate them from public life.
The resurfacing of machete-related incidents in Melbourne has sparked urgent discussions about public safety measures and the effectiveness of current laws in preventing violence. The community is urged to remain vigilant as police investigate these unsettling occurrences.