Hannah Hammoud
As community concerns continue to grow over knife-related incidents in Brimbank, police say they are investing “significant energy” into tackling the issue.
Brimbank Acting Inspector Cameron Sanderson said overall crimes against the person in Brimbank have dropped by 22 per cent since 2019.
“More than 60 per cent of all assaults in Brimbank are common law assaults which essentially means they are minor assaults with no injuries,” he said.
“… We also know that most stabbings in Victoria occur between parties known, including family violence and intra-criminal incidents.”
In the month of April alone, police charged three locals with knife-related criminal incidents.
On April 21, police charged a Kings Park man following an alleged stabbing at Highpoint Shopping Centre in Maribyrnong.
Four days later, police charged a Braybrook boy after an alleged affray and stabbing at Highpoint Shopping Centre on April 25.
Five days after that, police charged a16-year-old boy who was arrested at a Keilor Downs address following an alleged stabbing in St Albans on April 30.
Acting Inspector Sanderson said police are aware that just one incident can “greatly impact” the community’s perception of safety.
Brimbank police have implemented a multi-faceted approach to target the carriage of knives including uniform police conducting 24-7 patrols of Brimbank’s shopping centres and train stations.
“This includes dedicated operations targeting youth gangs as we know they are more likely to carry weapons in public, and targeted searches in public places such as railway stations,” Acting Inspector Sanderson said.
“However, carrying weapons is a societal issue so I’d implore parents and carers to sit down with their kids and explain the dangers of carrying a knife.”
Police are also inviting the Brimbank community to attend the Neighbourhood Policing Forum at Club Italia, 128-152 Furlong Road, Sunshine North, on May 8, commencing at 5.30pm.
The forum will provide the community with an opportunity to talk with police about issues that are important to them.
Details: shorturl.at/afgzH
