Melbourne youths buying knives online to use them in violent brawls

Children are buying deadly weapons online for as little as $19 and flaunting them on social media in a bid to one-up their rivals in violent street brawls.

Melbourne youths are posing up with dangerous weapons including guns and knives. Picture: Instagram

Children as young as 12 are carrying knives for protection and using them in violent brawls.

It comes after the fatal stabbing of Bless Mulukwat Akoch, 17, who was killed at Eagle Stadium in Werribee on Friday, May 7.

The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal young criminals are snapping weapons online from websites selling large knives, swords and even stun guns with express shipping to various locations across Melbourne.

One item, a combat claw knife for $19, had been bought by dozens of people in recent months.

A youth worker from Melbourne’s west told the Sunday Herald Sun knife crime had escalated among youths in recent months.

“The youths we’re seeing with knives are as young as 12 and 13. It’s very scary. They’re no longer meeting up in a park anymore and using their fists,” he said.

“We have a youth crime issue that needs to be addressed. I think knife crime is a component involved in that … it’s going to take all levels of the community to fix the issue.”

He said youths were buying knives online and in local supermarkets.

“They’re purchasing them from supermarkets, camping shops and most are bought online as there is no regulation.”

Melbourne youths are buying dangerous weapons online for as little as $19.

Teens are boasting about their online purchases on social media.

The youth worker said youths needed early intervention at school.

“They need to learn from a young age about the dangers of knife crime and violence. There are amazing practitioners in this space who are willing to put their hand up and help.

“We’re seeing young people who have never really offended and their first offence is a very serious offence.”

A police source told the Sunday Herald Sun youths were carrying weapons for protection and for notoriety.

“It starts off as a feud and one might post a photo on social media and the other one will carry one for protection, so it becomes a tit for tat thing,” the source said.

“There are now younger people carrying knives and it’s becoming a lot more prevalent than it was five years ago.”

Anglicare Victoria chief executive Paul McDonald said while he was not aware of a rise in youths carrying knives, the result was always the same.

“It’s a lose-lose decision, young people who carry knives will end up in a hospital, a morgue or juvenile detention,” he said.

“The question we have is why are you carrying a knife? There’s a common denominator of fear and feeling unsafe but it’s the wrong answer.

“This is why community policing and police engagement with youth centres is so important. It helps young people feel safe.

“We’ve got to tap into the impulsiveness of young people so they can make the right decisions.”

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the carriage and use of knives and weapons was an issue for the whole community to address.

“Police will continue to work extensively with local communities, organisations and local schools to address the prevalence of knives being carried by young people and highlight the associated dangers,” she said.

“Police have zero tolerance for any violent or criminal behaviour, particularly when it includes knives or weapons.”

The spokeswoman said carrying a knife for so-called ‘self-defence’ is equally wrong and only serves to escalate violence.

“We have seen the damage and destruction this can cause to friends, families and communities and we are urging young people to stop carrying knives.”

Originally published as Melbourne youths buying knives online to use them in violent brawls