Push to ban the sale of machetes in Victoria as youth crime wave continues

High profile youth worker Les Twentyman is calling for a ‘harder line’ on the sale of edged weapons as machete-wielding teens continue to run riot across Melbourne.

Mourners at a public funeral service in Melton for Pasawm Lyhym, 16 who was stabbed to death near Sunshine train station.

An immediate ban on the sale of machetes in Victoria is needed to stop status-seeking teens using them in terrifying attacks, says a high profile youth worker.

Les Twentyman said it was too easy to buy the deadly edged weapon and slammed the state government as “gutless” for not taking a “harder line” on machete sales.

He said anyone could walk into a hardware or camping shop and buy a machete for as little as $13.

“No one should be able to do that, no matter their age,” Mr Twentyman said.

“Machetes should only be available to buy for their intended purpose, cutting cane in Queensland.”

The call for a ban followed a series of shocking attacks including the alleged stabbing death of Pasawm Lyhym, 16, in Sunshine on May 25, the horror abduction and non-fatal, alleged stabbing of a 14 year old Glen Eira schoolboy on September 4 and reports of high school students in Mentone being “menaced” by teens with machetes in August.

All the incidents involved teens aged between 13 and 17 armed with machetes.

Pasawm Lyhym, 16, was allegedly stabbed to death with a machete. Picture: Supplied

Benjamin, 14, was left fighting for life after an alleged Glen Huntly abduction. Picture: Supplied

The mother of a 15-year-old boy ambushed by a gang of machete wielding teens outside Watergardens Shopping Centre on July 11 echoed the call for action.

Daniela, who did not want her full name used, said machetes emboldened teens and led to escalations in violence.

“These knives are becoming like guns in the US,” she said.

“Young people are starting to believe they have a right to carry them to defend themselves.

“And children are getting terrible injuries, or worse, killed.”

Police rush to Watergardens Shopping Centre in Taylors Lakes in response to reports a young male had been stabbed. Picture: Rebecca Borg.

It is illegal in Victoria to sell a controlled weapon, including a machete, to anyone under 18 with retailers caught breaking the rules facing fines of $3846.

Anyone under 18 busted trying to buy a machete would cop a $2307 fine.

Those caught carrying a machete without a lawful excuse faced a fine of $23,000 or a year in jail.

The penalties were first introduced in 2011, however Victoria Police said data on the number of fines issued was not available.

Mr Twentyman said the age restrictions were not stopping children getting their hands on the dangerous knives.

“A lot of these young gang members are linked to older members of organised crime outfits,” he said.

“There are plenty of people over 18 who can legally buy a machete and pass it on.”

A Herald Sun investigation into buying machetes revealed how easy it was to purchase one of the deadly blades.

Our reporter, who is over 18, bought two machetes in a couple of hours from camping and hardware shops without any trouble.

The only hurdle he encountered was finding an outlet that had not sold out of the dangerous weapon.

Mr Twentyman said some youth gangs regarded machetes as status-symbols and part of their identity among other gangs.

“The kids who carry box cutters are known as slashers, the ones who carry knives are called stabbers and the ones with machetes are choppers,” he said.

Mr Twentyman has been trying to keep weapons out of the hands of teenagers for decades years.

In 2006 he helped organised a highly successful weapons exchange that led to 55 edged weapons being swapped for movie tickets and footy cards in just two hours at Sunshine and Footscray train stations

He had hoped the initiative would be repeated and supported by strong campaign including government-funded community service announcements.

“We had a chance to stop this a long time ago,” he said.

“But the government was too weak and now we have children killing each other with machetes.

“The current laws are gutless. It’s going to be almost impossible to walk this back now.”

Les Twentyman also wants another weapons exchange like one in 2006 that led to the creation of a Footscray sculpture using the forfeited knives. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Victoria Police said any changes to laws regarding machetes were a matter for the government.

The spokesman said police had recently discussed “potential opportunities” with the government regarding the possession of unauthorised edged weapons, including machetes.

“Victoria Police will continue to work alongside the Government on any opportunities that reduce knife crime and unnecessary violence,” he said.

A Victorian government spokeswoman said violence of any kind was “simply unacceptable”.

“We continue to work with Victoria Police to ensure they have the tools they need to respond to (knife crime and serious offending),” she said.

“We have invested a record $4.5 billion for police to keep the community safe, while delivering targeted programs and supports to keep young people out of the justice system.”

Meanwhile, the state Opposition has vowed to outlaw the dangerous knives.

Opposition police spokesman, Brad Battin said the Coalition had committed to changing the Control of Weapons Act 1990 to make machetes a prohibited weapon.

“Youth crime is at a decade-high and we need to do everything we can to address the problem, particularly when there are fewer police because of a lack of investment by Labor,” Mr Battin said.

“If the Andrews Government won’t act, then we will to help stop these violent assaults.”