Alarming rise in knife crime in Melbourne

Stabbing incidents have soared in the past 12 months and there has been a huge jump in people ending up in the emergency department, a Monash University report shows.

The number of stab victims showing up at Victoria’s emergency departments has soared in 12 months, alarming new figures have revealed.

Monash University has ­released the shocking data ­exclusively to the Herald Sun, confirming stabbing incidents have skyrocketed.

It follows a spate of violent stabbings in recent weeks, including the shocking killing of 18-year-old Hashim Mohamed earlier this month, who was left to die with a knife still in his back.

Last financial year, 820 people presented to emergency departments after being stabbed, up 48 per cent on the previous financial year.

Hashim Mohamad was stabbed to death in St Kilda. Picture: Supplied

Machar Kot died after being stabbed in the CBD.

Typically victims were aged between 15-49, making up 87 per cent of cases. The age group that saw the largest number of victims was 20-24 (16.7 per cent).

Teenage victims were not far behind, with those aged between 15-19 years old representing 12 per cent of cases.

Men were overwhelmingly the victims, accounting for 85.5 per cent of cases.

The alarming figures also revealed that efforts to tackle knife crime have been largely ineffective over the past 10 years, with the number of stab victims who presented to emergency departments at Victorian public hospitals up 137 per cent.

In 87 per cent of stabbing incidents, the victims were aged between 15-49.

The figures come amid a surge in stabbings in recent months across Melbourne.

Mr Mohamed’s death was the most recent, but on one October night, a man died from a stabbing and several others were hospitalised.

The spate of violence has led to pleas from ­African community leaders for the “senseless killings” to stop.

In an emotional nine-minute video posted on social media, community advocate Hanad Hersi said Melbourne’s streets were “full of blood”.

“When was it OK to ever take a life? They’re kids, being killed for what? Our young kids are dropping like flies,” Mr Hersi said.

Police sources have claimed tensions have “escalated” in recent months between the city’s rival youth gangs.

There has been a surge in stabbings in recent months across Melbourne. Picture: Nicki Connolly

But Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has stopped short of promising to beef-up the police presence in areas vulnerable to knife crime.

He said that “operational matters” were best left to police.

“We take all crime, particularly violent crime, very seriously,” Mr Andrews said.

“I haven’t received any requests from the Chief Commissioner or from police command for any additional powers or further resources.

“But rest assured, if the Chief Commissioner came forward and sought additional powers or sought any additional support from our government, that support will be there.”

Under Victoria’s laws, it is illegal for anyone to possess, carry or use a controlled weapon – which includes knives – without a “lawful excuse”.

It is also illegal for a controlled weapon to be sold to a person under the age of 18.