Fresh calls for expanded police powers in wake of alleged murder of Jayme ‘Chugs’ Sykes

Metal detectors, more searches, tougher laws – an alleged stabbing murder in the heart of Geelong has put the spotlight on the danger of knives as local weapons offences keep climbing.

Friends and family of allegedly slain Corio man Jayme Sykes gather in Little Malop St to lay flowers and pay tribute to the 20-year-old.

During the early hours of the last Sunday of October, in the hospitality heart of Geelong, a fight broke out.

It wasn’t even the first along the street that night, according to business owners.

But by the time Little Malop St’s cafes started opening, Jayme ‘Chugs’ Sykes was dead, after allegedly being stabbed.

A number of people close to the incident have differing views on what the response should be, but there’s one thing all agree on – the fight only turned fatal because someone allegedly brought a knife.

Andy Pobjoy, who owns popular night spot Piano Bar, questioned why anyone would even bring a knife to a nightclub.

Flowers on Little Malop St pay tribute to Jayme Sykes.

“I was talking to a business owner and they were thinking maybe they (those carrying) think it’s for their own protection,” he said.

“That never dawned on me, if you take a knife to a nightclub, you’ve got the intention to use it, it puts your head in a different space.”

Crime in party venues is sadly commonplace in Geelong.

One offence a day was recorded in licenced premises in Greater Geelong in the 12 months to June this year, according to Victoria’s Crime Statistics Agency.

There were also 463 prohibited and controlled weapons offences recorded in Greater Geelong in the same period — an increase from 388 in the previous year.

According to Victoria Police, prohibited weapons are “considered inappropriate for general possession” and include types of knives and firearms, while controlled weapons can be “possessed, carried and used for legitimate purposes but may pose a potential danger to the community”.

The Geelong Advertiser has reported on serious knife crime at least 14 times since New Year’s Eve.

Mr Pobjoy said he had spoken to police in the days following the tragedy in the CBD and officers had relayed their concerns about weapons.

“You talk to officers and they say ‘oh yeah, (knives are) everywhere’,” Mr Pobjoy said.

“When they do get the opportunity to do concealed weapon searches, they find all sorts of things.”

Mr Sykes’ family is calling for knife reforms in the wake of the alleged murder.

Sam Clemenston, Mr Sykes’ mother’s cousin, started a Facebook group during the week called Chugs’ Law that already boasts more than 1700 members.

“We lost a beautiful young man in our family,” Ms Clemenston said.

“It was just the most devastating thing we’ve ever heard as a family.

The Chugs Law Facebook page already boasts 1500 members

“I just thought, how could I make this boy’s life not for nothing? As a family we want him to have the legacy he deserves.”

Friends, family and people with no personal connection from around the world have joined the group, sharing videos and memories of Chugs, as well as what his legacy could and should look like.

“We need to carry respect, not a knife,” Ms Clemenston said.

“We need to go into schools and educate these kids as to what the consequences are of carrying a knife, because kids think it’s a badge of honour.

“I’d like to see a safe and anonymous way for people to dispose of their weapons.”

Jayme Sykes, mother Sally-Anne Beal and brother Mitch Sykes.

Ms Clemenston said people who carried knives were “cowards”.

“It’s got to be stopped,” she said.

“The other thing we would like to see is handheld metal detectors in pubs and clubs.

“I can’t understand, they’ll ask you for ID and check if you’re old enough to have a beer, but won’t check if you’re carrying a knife.”

General manager of Home House Mario Gregorio welcomed the calls for police to be harder on weapons, but questioned whether if the potential harm metal detectors could cause to the city’s struggling night life would outweigh the benefits.

Little Malop St, where it is alleged Jayme Sykes was stabbed.

“There hasn’t been a knife attack inside a club for a long time in Geelong from my memory,” Mr Gregorio said

“Are we going to take it to the point of metal detectors? How far are we going to take it?

“There are better ways to deter people, if someone’s caught carrying a knife they should be put in jail for an extensive period of time.”

According to Crime Stoppers, the punishment for carrying a knife is up to one year in prison.

Mr Gregorio called for a measured response.

“What happened (on October 27) was very unexpected,” Mr Gregorio said.

“I don’t feel as though violence has increased, maybe it has relative to the number of people going out.

Corio man 20-year-old Jayme “Chugs” Sykes is being remembered as a “ripper bloke” who had the world at his feet.

“That number has dwindled, it used to be around 5000 people on a Saturday night in Geelong in the 2010s, but since Covid it’s more like 2000.”

The Victorian government has said it would amend the Control of Weapons Act so police could conduct their searches more easily, for longer periods and in more situations.

“Knives are an incredibly dangerous weapon that can inflict serious harm and heartbreak – there’s no reason for anyone to be carrying one around in everyday life,” a spokeswoman said.

“We’ve already announced we will give Victoria Police expanded knife search powers as part of our crackdown on knife crime.

“Our thoughts are with Jayme Sykes’ loved ones during this difficult time.”

Victoria Police said it had increased patrols in Geelong’s CBD at the weekend.

Originally published as Fresh calls for expanded police powers in wake of alleged murder of Jayme ‘Chugs’ Sykes