‘We take it very seriously’: Geelong police alay community concerns of recent stabbings

Residents living near an alleged attack on a elderly lady have been told it is safe to walk their streets at night, as police ramp up patrols in the wake of a spike in knife crime.

Mark Guthrie of Geelong CIU outside Geelong Police Station on Wednesday afternoon. Picture: Alan Barber

A leading Geelong detective has moved to reassure residents living near the scene of an alleged stabbing attack on a defenceless elderly lady that it is safe to walk the streets at night.

Geelong CIU Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Guthrie said there would be “reassurance patrols” conducted in the South Geelong area following a terrifying alleged assault on a 73-year-old woman as she walked along Mundy Street.

The woman is still in hospital in a stable condition after being stabbed in the back and hands from behind just metres from her own home.

Geelong CIU Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Guthrie speaking after a stabbing on Mundy Street on Tuesday night. Picture: Alan Barber

Sergeant Guthrie said Tuesday’s assault was extremely uncommon and differed from six other known stabbings that have taken place in the city since May 8.

“It is not dangerous to walk after dark,” he said.

“People will say there has been a number of knife incidents here in Geelong, but I will say that this is very rare and very random.

“Most of the ones that we do have, people are known to each other.

“This one is concerning in regards to the randomness of it.”

The woman’s alleged attacker, 32-year-old Jordan Powell, was arrested a short time later at the Colonial Lodge Hotel on Fyans Street.

Powell has been charged with intentionally causing serious injury.

Detectives in Mundyy Street, South Geelong on Wednesday morning. Police are canvassing the area in search of evidence after a shocking attack on a woman on Tuesday. Picture: Alan Barber

Detectives are still investigating a possible motive, however they do not believe it was sexually motivated.

It’s believed Powell had been involved in an alleged theft at a Belmont store earlier that day.

It comes as Mr Guthrie urged residents on Mundy Street and nearby Bellerine Street to check security footage and cameras in an effort to assist police.

He said they were taking the recent spate of violence “very seriously” with a weapon offence operation to be rolled out in due course.

“I don’t think it (knife crime) is up any more than it has been anywhere else, there has just been, over the last month, some ones that have occurred,” he said.

“Yes, there was a quick arrest in regards to this one, but we have stepped up patrols in that area and everywhere else around Geelong.

“If anyone has any information about people who have got weapons, whether it is knives, guns or any other weapons, come forward.”

Police are expected to formally interview the victim in the coming days as she recovers from major surgery.

Originally published as ‘We take it very seriously’: Geelong police alay community concerns of recent stabbings