Latest news with #DavidClayton
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
Australia fast-tracks machete ban after shopping centre attack
A fight involving machetes at a Melbourne shopping centre has prompted an Australian state to fast-track the country's first-ever ban on the weapon's sale. The ban - to start in Victoria this Wednesday, instead of September - comes after two gangs attacked each other at Northland shopping centre in Preston on Sunday afternoon. A man, 20, remains in hospital in a serious condition. Victoria's premier said the ban will "choke the supply", adding "the community shouldn't have to deal with these weapons in their shopping centres - neither should our police". Two boys, aged 16 and 15, were on Sunday charged with affray, intentionally causing injury, and possession and use of a controlled weapon. On Monday, police said two men, aged 20 and 18, had also been arrested and were being interviewed. All four people were known to police previously. "This was a planned fight between two rival youth gangs with no innocent bystanders hurt," said deputy commissioner David Clayton. "Fortunately, these events are not very commonplace in Victoria," he said, adding that youth knife crime is "rare" but "frightening". Clayton said one in 10 knife crimes in the state are committed by young people, and often happen in public places. Emergency services were called to the shopping centre in Preston - about 11km (seven miles) north of Melbourne - just after 14:30 local time (05:30 BST) on Sunday after reports of up to 10 people fighting. Police said the investigation "remains ongoing" and more arrests are expected. Three of the four machetes used during the attack have been seized, police said. Victoria's Premier Jacinta Allan described the attack as "appalling". "We must never let the places where we gather - where families come together, to meet, to shop, to enjoy the peace of their weekend - become the places we fear," Allan said at a press conference. "It took the United Kingdom 18 months to bring about a ban on machetes and we are moving to do it within six months," she added. In March, Victoria announced legislative changes to its Control of Weapons Act, making it illegal to sell or possess machetes, with the new law to start in September. The ban covers machetes, which are broadly defined as "knives with a cutting blade longer than 20cm". It does not include knives primarily used in kitchens. A three-month amnesty from September means anyone with a machete can place them in specially designated boxes at police stations. Police also thanked a man who held down one of the alleged offenders until police arrived, saying he "performed an outstanding job", but added they don't encourage the public to become involved in such incidents. In England and Wales, a ban on "zombie-style" knives and machetes was introduced last September, making it illegal to own, make, transport or sell a wide range of "statement" knives favoured by criminal gangs.
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Melbourne machete fight triggers urgent weapon ban in Victoria
Listen to article Australia's Victoria state is fast-tracking a ban on the sale of machetes following a violent clash between rival youth gangs at a shopping centre in Melbourne's north, authorities announced on Monday. The incident, which occurred on Sunday afternoon at Northland shopping centre in Preston, involved up to 10 individuals. Victoria Police Acting Deputy Commissioner for Regional Operations David Clayton confirmed that authorities are actively pursuing three additional suspects linked to the violent incident, whose identities are already known to police, according to a report on Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australia's principal public service broadcaster. Investigators recovered three machetes at the scene and believe a fourth weapon was also used during the altercation. So far, four individuals have been charged in connection with the brawl. Meanwhile, the Victorian government is set to implement a ban on machete sales starting from midday Wednesday. Victoria will become the first state in Australia to ban the sale of machetes, which are broadly defined as knives with blades longer than 20cm. The new law, part of amendments to the Control of Weapons Act, excludes kitchen knives. Emergency services were called to the scene just after 14:30 local time (05:30 BST) on Sunday. Three of the four machetes used have been seized, with the police investigation still ongoing and more arrests expected. In March, Victoria passed new laws targeting the sale and possession of machetes. A three-month amnesty starting in September will allow people to safely surrender their weapons at police stations. Premier Allan contrasted Victoria's swift action with the UK's timeline for a similar ban. "It took the United Kingdom 18 months to bring about a ban on machetes, and we are moving to do it within six months," she said. Police thanked a bystander who restrained one of the alleged attackers until officers arrived, describing his actions as "outstanding", though they urged the public not to intervene in future incidents. In the UK, a ban on so-called "zombie knives" and machetes came into effect in September 2023, making it illegal to manufacture, own, or sell such weapons.
The Advertiser
26-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Knives out for machete sale ban after shopper terror
Machete-fuelled gang violence at a shopping centre has sparked an immediate ban on selling the deadly weapons, but police and retail groups say it doesn't go far enough. Shoppers were left terrified on Sunday when a violent brawl erupted between rival gangs armed with machetes at Northland Shopping Centre in Melbourne's north. Two boys, aged 15 and 16, have been charged, along with a 20-year-old Thornbury man and 18-year-old Bundoora man. Both of the boys were on bail at the time. Another man, also 20, remains in hospital with serious head injuries. One of the alleged machete attackers was pinned to the ground in a daring citizen's arrest. Three other suspects remain on the run. "We've already identified all those involved, with more arrests imminent," Victoria Police deputy commissioner David Clayton told reporters. The fight locked down the complex and conjured memories of the 2024 Bondi Junction shopping centre stabbing attack that left six innocent people dead. Three of the four machetes used in Sunday's fight have been seized by police, who will step up patrols around the shopping centre and surrounds in coming days and weekends. In its response, the Victorian government stopped short of bringing forward a ban on the long blades from September 1 and a subsequent three-month amnesty period. Premier Jacinta Allan instead opted for an interim ban on the sale of machetes from noon on Wednesday, under extraordinary commonwealth powers. "The community shouldn't have to deal with these weapons in their shopping centres," Ms Allan said. "Neither should our police." The interim sale ban will cover machetes - broadly described as a cutting-edge knife with a blade of more than 20 centimetres - and have no exemptions for buyers with legitimate uses such as agricultural work. "This is the tool that we are using to choke the supply," the premier said. Retailers have been told to store excess stock in a safe location until the amnesty and exemption schemes begin. A task force will be established to enforce the interim ban, with business owners risking fines of up to $200,000 or prison time if caught in breach. Opposition police spokesman David Southwick said the government had done a "half job". "It's a backflip where the premier has landed on her backside," he said. "This ban should take place for the sale and also for carrying these machetes." Ms Allan defended her government's decision not to bring forward the possession ban and amnesty period, which includes placing locked disposal boxes at 40 police stations. She said it was based on advice from Victoria Police and agencies in March over safety concerns, and pointed out it took 18 months for the UK to implement its machete ban. The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association welcomed the interim sales ban but reiterated its request for outlets to lock up all bladed items, including kitchen knives. Victorian police union boss Wayne Gatt said the machete ban should be accompanied by greater search powers and courts following through on meting out deterrent punishments. "A ban on the sale will stop more (machetes) being sold, more being released from legitimate retailers," he said. "But it won't get them out of the homes, from under the beds, from down the trouser pockets of people on our streets." The Australian Retailers Association and National Retail Association called for broader reforms, including strengthened police search powers based on Queensland's Jack's Law. Victoria's machete ban and expanded police search powers for weapons passed parliament in March after just under 14,800 edged weapons were confiscated in 2024 - a 10-year high. Most were seized from homes during raids rather than people carrying them on the streets, police said. Machete-fuelled gang violence at a shopping centre has sparked an immediate ban on selling the deadly weapons, but police and retail groups say it doesn't go far enough. Shoppers were left terrified on Sunday when a violent brawl erupted between rival gangs armed with machetes at Northland Shopping Centre in Melbourne's north. Two boys, aged 15 and 16, have been charged, along with a 20-year-old Thornbury man and 18-year-old Bundoora man. Both of the boys were on bail at the time. Another man, also 20, remains in hospital with serious head injuries. One of the alleged machete attackers was pinned to the ground in a daring citizen's arrest. Three other suspects remain on the run. "We've already identified all those involved, with more arrests imminent," Victoria Police deputy commissioner David Clayton told reporters. The fight locked down the complex and conjured memories of the 2024 Bondi Junction shopping centre stabbing attack that left six innocent people dead. Three of the four machetes used in Sunday's fight have been seized by police, who will step up patrols around the shopping centre and surrounds in coming days and weekends. In its response, the Victorian government stopped short of bringing forward a ban on the long blades from September 1 and a subsequent three-month amnesty period. Premier Jacinta Allan instead opted for an interim ban on the sale of machetes from noon on Wednesday, under extraordinary commonwealth powers. "The community shouldn't have to deal with these weapons in their shopping centres," Ms Allan said. "Neither should our police." The interim sale ban will cover machetes - broadly described as a cutting-edge knife with a blade of more than 20 centimetres - and have no exemptions for buyers with legitimate uses such as agricultural work. "This is the tool that we are using to choke the supply," the premier said. Retailers have been told to store excess stock in a safe location until the amnesty and exemption schemes begin. A task force will be established to enforce the interim ban, with business owners risking fines of up to $200,000 or prison time if caught in breach. Opposition police spokesman David Southwick said the government had done a "half job". "It's a backflip where the premier has landed on her backside," he said. "This ban should take place for the sale and also for carrying these machetes." Ms Allan defended her government's decision not to bring forward the possession ban and amnesty period, which includes placing locked disposal boxes at 40 police stations. She said it was based on advice from Victoria Police and agencies in March over safety concerns, and pointed out it took 18 months for the UK to implement its machete ban. The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association welcomed the interim sales ban but reiterated its request for outlets to lock up all bladed items, including kitchen knives. Victorian police union boss Wayne Gatt said the machete ban should be accompanied by greater search powers and courts following through on meting out deterrent punishments. "A ban on the sale will stop more (machetes) being sold, more being released from legitimate retailers," he said. "But it won't get them out of the homes, from under the beds, from down the trouser pockets of people on our streets." The Australian Retailers Association and National Retail Association called for broader reforms, including strengthened police search powers based on Queensland's Jack's Law. Victoria's machete ban and expanded police search powers for weapons passed parliament in March after just under 14,800 edged weapons were confiscated in 2024 - a 10-year high. Most were seized from homes during raids rather than people carrying them on the streets, police said. Machete-fuelled gang violence at a shopping centre has sparked an immediate ban on selling the deadly weapons, but police and retail groups say it doesn't go far enough. Shoppers were left terrified on Sunday when a violent brawl erupted between rival gangs armed with machetes at Northland Shopping Centre in Melbourne's north. Two boys, aged 15 and 16, have been charged, along with a 20-year-old Thornbury man and 18-year-old Bundoora man. Both of the boys were on bail at the time. Another man, also 20, remains in hospital with serious head injuries. One of the alleged machete attackers was pinned to the ground in a daring citizen's arrest. Three other suspects remain on the run. "We've already identified all those involved, with more arrests imminent," Victoria Police deputy commissioner David Clayton told reporters. The fight locked down the complex and conjured memories of the 2024 Bondi Junction shopping centre stabbing attack that left six innocent people dead. Three of the four machetes used in Sunday's fight have been seized by police, who will step up patrols around the shopping centre and surrounds in coming days and weekends. In its response, the Victorian government stopped short of bringing forward a ban on the long blades from September 1 and a subsequent three-month amnesty period. Premier Jacinta Allan instead opted for an interim ban on the sale of machetes from noon on Wednesday, under extraordinary commonwealth powers. "The community shouldn't have to deal with these weapons in their shopping centres," Ms Allan said. "Neither should our police." The interim sale ban will cover machetes - broadly described as a cutting-edge knife with a blade of more than 20 centimetres - and have no exemptions for buyers with legitimate uses such as agricultural work. "This is the tool that we are using to choke the supply," the premier said. Retailers have been told to store excess stock in a safe location until the amnesty and exemption schemes begin. A task force will be established to enforce the interim ban, with business owners risking fines of up to $200,000 or prison time if caught in breach. Opposition police spokesman David Southwick said the government had done a "half job". "It's a backflip where the premier has landed on her backside," he said. "This ban should take place for the sale and also for carrying these machetes." Ms Allan defended her government's decision not to bring forward the possession ban and amnesty period, which includes placing locked disposal boxes at 40 police stations. She said it was based on advice from Victoria Police and agencies in March over safety concerns, and pointed out it took 18 months for the UK to implement its machete ban. The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association welcomed the interim sales ban but reiterated its request for outlets to lock up all bladed items, including kitchen knives. Victorian police union boss Wayne Gatt said the machete ban should be accompanied by greater search powers and courts following through on meting out deterrent punishments. "A ban on the sale will stop more (machetes) being sold, more being released from legitimate retailers," he said. "But it won't get them out of the homes, from under the beds, from down the trouser pockets of people on our streets." The Australian Retailers Association and National Retail Association called for broader reforms, including strengthened police search powers based on Queensland's Jack's Law. Victoria's machete ban and expanded police search powers for weapons passed parliament in March after just under 14,800 edged weapons were confiscated in 2024 - a 10-year high. Most were seized from homes during raids rather than people carrying them on the streets, police said. Machete-fuelled gang violence at a shopping centre has sparked an immediate ban on selling the deadly weapons, but police and retail groups say it doesn't go far enough. Shoppers were left terrified on Sunday when a violent brawl erupted between rival gangs armed with machetes at Northland Shopping Centre in Melbourne's north. Two boys, aged 15 and 16, have been charged, along with a 20-year-old Thornbury man and 18-year-old Bundoora man. Both of the boys were on bail at the time. Another man, also 20, remains in hospital with serious head injuries. One of the alleged machete attackers was pinned to the ground in a daring citizen's arrest. Three other suspects remain on the run. "We've already identified all those involved, with more arrests imminent," Victoria Police deputy commissioner David Clayton told reporters. The fight locked down the complex and conjured memories of the 2024 Bondi Junction shopping centre stabbing attack that left six innocent people dead. Three of the four machetes used in Sunday's fight have been seized by police, who will step up patrols around the shopping centre and surrounds in coming days and weekends. In its response, the Victorian government stopped short of bringing forward a ban on the long blades from September 1 and a subsequent three-month amnesty period. Premier Jacinta Allan instead opted for an interim ban on the sale of machetes from noon on Wednesday, under extraordinary commonwealth powers. "The community shouldn't have to deal with these weapons in their shopping centres," Ms Allan said. "Neither should our police." The interim sale ban will cover machetes - broadly described as a cutting-edge knife with a blade of more than 20 centimetres - and have no exemptions for buyers with legitimate uses such as agricultural work. "This is the tool that we are using to choke the supply," the premier said. Retailers have been told to store excess stock in a safe location until the amnesty and exemption schemes begin. A task force will be established to enforce the interim ban, with business owners risking fines of up to $200,000 or prison time if caught in breach. Opposition police spokesman David Southwick said the government had done a "half job". "It's a backflip where the premier has landed on her backside," he said. "This ban should take place for the sale and also for carrying these machetes." Ms Allan defended her government's decision not to bring forward the possession ban and amnesty period, which includes placing locked disposal boxes at 40 police stations. She said it was based on advice from Victoria Police and agencies in March over safety concerns, and pointed out it took 18 months for the UK to implement its machete ban. The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association welcomed the interim sales ban but reiterated its request for outlets to lock up all bladed items, including kitchen knives. Victorian police union boss Wayne Gatt said the machete ban should be accompanied by greater search powers and courts following through on meting out deterrent punishments. "A ban on the sale will stop more (machetes) being sold, more being released from legitimate retailers," he said. "But it won't get them out of the homes, from under the beds, from down the trouser pockets of people on our streets." The Australian Retailers Association and National Retail Association called for broader reforms, including strengthened police search powers based on Queensland's Jack's Law. Victoria's machete ban and expanded police search powers for weapons passed parliament in March after just under 14,800 edged weapons were confiscated in 2024 - a 10-year high. Most were seized from homes during raids rather than people carrying them on the streets, police said.
BBC News
26-05-2025
- BBC News
Australia fast-tracks first-ever machete ban after weekend attack
A fight involving machetes at a Melbourne shopping centre has prompted an Australian state to fast-track the country's first-ever ban on the weapon's sale. The ban - to start in Victoria this Wednesday, instead of September - comes after two gangs attacked each other at Northland shopping centre in Preston on Sunday afternoon. A man, 20, remains in hospital in a serious premier said the ban will "choke the supply", adding "the community shouldn't have to deal with these weapons in their shopping centres - neither should our police".Two boys, aged 16 and 15, were on Sunday charged with affray, intentionally causing injury, and possession and use of a controlled weapon. On Monday, police said two men, aged 20 and 18, had also been arrested and were being interviewed. All four people were known to police previously. "This was a planned fight between two rival youth gangs with no innocent bystanders hurt," said deputy commissioner David Clayton. "Fortunately, these events are not very commonplace in Victoria," he said, adding that youth knife crime is "rare" but "frightening".Clayton said one in 10 knife crimes in the state are committed by young people, and often happen in public places. Emergency services were called to the shopping centre in Preston - about 11km (seven miles) north of Melbourne - just after 14:30 local time (05:30 BST) on Sunday after reports of up to 10 people fighting. Police said the investigation "remains ongoing" and more arrests are expected. Three of the four machetes used during the attack have been seized, police Premier Jacinta Allan described the attack as "appalling". "We must never let the places where we gather - where families come together, to meet, to shop, to enjoy the peace of their weekend - become the places we fear," Allan said at a press conference. "It took the United Kingdom 18 months to bring about a ban on machetes and we are moving to do it within six months," she March, Victoria announced legislative changes to its Control of Weapons Act, making it illegal to sell or possess machetes, with the new law to start in September. The ban covers machetes, which are broadly defined as "knives with a cutting blade longer than 20cm". It does not include knives primarily used in kitchens.A three-month amnesty from September means anyone with a machete can place them in specially designated boxes at police stations. Police also thanked a man who held down one of the alleged offenders until police arrived, saying he "performed an outstanding job", but added they don't encourage the public to become involved in such incidents. In England and Wales, a ban on "zombie-style" knives and machetes was introduced last September, making it illegal to own, make, transport or sell a wide range of "statement" knives favoured by criminal gangs.
