By Ewen McRae
Police have confiscated three knives from students at two schools in recent weeks.
In each case, a balisong – or butterfly knife with a blunt blade – was confiscated.
The knives are commonly used in martial arts training and are often mistaken for toys, but are illegal to carry.
Police attended a Caroline Springs school on August 28 after reports of a student carrying one of the knives.
That followed a similar incident at a St Albans school on August 21 in which two students were found to be carrying knives.
On each occasion, the knives were surrendered and the students cautioned. Police said the students did not make any threats and no one was injured.
Police would not confirm which schools were involved.
Police said that while the knives often appeared to be harmless, they were classed as prohibited weapons in Victoria, making it illegal to possess or carry them without the correct permits. Punishment for possession can range up to two years’ imprisonment.
According to the most recent crime statistics, in the year to March, 2019, 405 weapons offences were recorded in Melton.
That makes it the second worst year in the past 10 for that crime category, behind only the 449 offences recorded in 2016.
Weapons offences have risen steadily in Melton in the past decade, from just 129 recorded in the year to March, 2010.
