New legislation sees supplying knives to minors under proposed reforms can result with four years in jail, or up to a $35,000 fine
South Australia will introduce the strictest laws in the country when it comes to supplying knives to minors as it was revealed how many blades were found during public searches.
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Anyone caught supplying a knife to a minor would face up to four years in jail or a maximum $35,000 fine, under proposed new laws to be introduced in state parliament in early 2025.
It comes as latest figures show SA Police has seized dozens of knives as it steps up its efforts to combat knife crime.
The proposed penalties for supplying knives are the highest in the country for this offence and form part of a suite of reforms that aim to crack down on crimes involving knives in South Australia.
The state government on Friday announced it would, in the new year, introduce legislation to make it illegal to supply minors with a knife.
The government has previously announced it will seek to legislate to increase the legal age to purchase knives from 16 to 18 years; expand the offence of possession in a school to include early childhood and tertiary institutions; and increase powers for SA Police to conduct metal detector searches in certain areas.
New figures show SA Police conducted more than 1000 metal detector searches at declared events, licensed premises and in declared public precincts, seizing 30 knives and bladed weapons, in 2023/24.
Since January 1 this year, Operation Meld – which targets known groups of youth offenders – seized 44 knives and bladed weapons. About 20 persons of interest have also been identified.
Knife crime has increased by 15 per cent – from 4706 offences to 4476 offences – in the year to October 31 this year, compared to the same period in the prior 12 months.
On October 31 this year, a street gang fight between six youths broke out in Rundle Mall, with one teenager allegedly wielding a machete.
Three teens were charged over the incident.
Attorney-General Kyam Maher said the reforms were part of the government’s efforts to “make sure knife crime laws are responsible, tough, and able to help authorities keep our community safe”.
Police Minister Dan Cregan said the government had a “zero tolerance approach” to knife crime.
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