Push for knives, axes to be locked up in shops under new crime crackdown

Victorian retailers would have to lock all blades behind screens like cigarettes under a new push to protect workers and shoppers, as the Allan government faces calls to expand proposed machete laws.

Victorian retailers would be forced to lock up kitchen, hunting and fishing knives under a new push to protect workers and shoppers, as the Allan government faces calls to expand proposed machete laws.

Premier Jacinta Allan is being urged to force shop owners to secure all bladed items, including axes, behind locked screens – similar to cigarettes and spirits – as part of its new crime crackdown.

There are also calls for retailers to get tough on checking IDs when selling knives to ensure deadly weapons stay out of the hands of minors.

The push came as the state government on Thursday announced a new statewide machete ban as part of a new plan to stamp out rampant crime.

Premier Jacinta Allan is being asked to force shop owners to lock up kitchen knives.

Retailers are facing calls to get tough on checking IDs to ensure minors aren’t buying blades.

It follows a spate of shocking stabbing attacks, including three murders in the past six months.

Under new laws, which the government hopes to push through parliament next week, those caught carrying machetes will face jail terms or fines of more than $47,000.

A three-month amnesty will run from September 1 to November 30 to allow for the safe disposal of prohibited weapons in bins at a range of outdoor locations including at police stations.

Retail workers union SDA Victorian secretary Michael Donovan penned a letter to the Premier this week, urging her to consider broadening the knife reforms to limit “opportunist” attacks.

“We are calling on the state government to legislate that all bladed items sold by retail shall be secured so that customers cannot access them until the point of sale,” he said.

It comes after a 63-year-old Queensland Coles worker was allegedly stabbed in the back with a knife by a 13-year-old.

The Allan government is being urged to legistlate that all bladed items sold by retail should be secured.

“The alarming attack on a supermarket worker in Queensland put government and

employers alike on notice,” he said.

“Retailers already lock up cigarettes and expensive alcohol, so why can’t they do it with knives to keep them out of kids’ hands?”

“The safety of staff and customers must be the top priority.”

Police Minister Anthony Carbines says the government will work with retailers to determine who would be given exemptions to sell and buy machetes. Picture: David Geraghty

It comes as Police Minister Anthony Carbines, speaking from Victoria Police headquarters on Thursday, said the government would work with retailers to determine who would be given exemptions to sell and buy machetes.

He said under the “very strict” arrangements, those who hold an exemption would be listed on a Victoria Police register.

Ms Allan could not say whether retailers would be given compensation for their current stock.

Opposition police spokesman David Southwick questioned why any retailers were selling machetes.

“I’ve spoken to some retailers … who have already started to take machetes off for sale in their stores,” he said.

“The responsible thing for retailers to do would be to stop selling them now.”