Australian state to bring in tough new anti-knife crime laws: Here’s what they mean for you
NSW is about to introduce tough new anti-knife crime laws, which were announced just days before a school in Sydney’s west went into lockdown when a student arrived with a knife.
The laws are intended to tackle knife ownership, especially among teenagers, and are based on Queensland’s ‘Jack’s Law’.
Under the NSW plans, police will be able to search designated areas including transport hubs, shopping centers and entertainment and entertainment areas without a search warrant.
The powers can be used “in circumstances where a relevant gun/knife crime has occurred in the last six months”, the government said.
The authority will last twelve hours, with an option to extend.
The reforms will also make it illegal to sell knives to children under 18, with exceptions for those who need a knife for work or study.
Education Minister Prue Car said she was “deeply concerned” on Thursday afternoon about an incident at Chifley College, which saw a school placed on lockdown when a student arrived with a knife.
NSW Police said a teacher was injured when he tried to take the knife from the student, but no children were injured.
“No one is allowed to take knives to school and if they do the police will be called,” Ms Car said, as NSW prepares to introduce tough new laws against knife crime.
Chifley College (pictured) in Sydney’s west is on lockdown after a student arrived on campus armed with a knife
NSW is about to introduce tough new anti-knife crime laws. Education Minister Prue Car is pictured
“Our schools must be safe for all staff and students and my thoughts go out to the school community and everyone affected by this.”
Emergency services attended Chifley College on Maple Road, North St Marys, at around 1.20pm on Thursday after reports a student had a knife.
“An employee suffered a minor laceration while allegedly attempting to confiscate the knife before police arrived,” a police statement said.
“No students were injured in the incident.”
NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the staff member and took the child who allegedly brought the knife to the school for assessment.
The school issued a statement shortly after the lockdown.
‘For our school community: we are currently in lockdown.’
“Please be assured that all students and staff are safe.”
Earlier this week, the NSW government announced police would be given new powers to scan people for knives with metal detection wands in areas such as shopping centers and at public transport interchanges.
“I know many in our community have followed the devastating media reporting and heard the stories of victims and families – tragically there have been so many recent examples,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said.
‘Our communities are still in mourning, but it is vital that we take action and take immediate action to send a clear message that NSW simply will not accept this type of crime.’
NSW Police have urged the NSW Sentencing Council to consider punishing parents who allow their child to possess knives.
The latest knife-related incident follows a spate of knife crimes in recent weeks, including the stabbing murders of six people at the Westfield shopping center in Bondi Junction.
There was also an attack on an Assyrian Christian bishop during a livestreamed church service.
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was preaching at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, western Sydney, on April 15 when a teenager wearing a hoodie walked up to the altar and allegedly stabbed him several times.
NSW Premier Chris Minns (pictured) said: ‘It is vital that we act to take immediate action and send a clear message that NSW simply will not accept this type of crime’
NSW Police said while no children were injured in the incident, a teacher was injured when they tried to take the knife from the student. Police crime scene tape
Gruesome footage of the incident, which was broadcast live on the church’s YouTube page, showed Bishop Emmanuel looking up in surprise as the attacker suddenly received blows to his face and head.
In Torquay, Victoria, a man who was allegedly threatened with a knife by ex-soldier Travis Johnston while holding his 19-month-old son said he immediately thought of the Bondi Junction tragedy.
Earlier this month, surfer Kye Schaefer, 22, was stabbed at Park Beach in Coffs Harbour, NSW, at around 6.40am while still wearing his wetsuit.
Chifley College previously made headlines in March 2011 when student Casey Heynes, then aged 16, turned the tables on a bully, a video of which went viral.