Jacinta Allan hints at stronger laws to crack down on Victoria’s frightening knife crime epidemic

Premier Jacinta Allan has given her strongest indication yet that tougher laws may be introduced to tackle Victoria’s knife violence epidemic, conceding a review of the state’s bail law must look at the issue.

Jacinta Allan has hinted at stronger laws to crack down on Victoria’s knife violence epidemic.

Amid a worsening crime crisis, the Premier on Tuesday conceded that a review of the state’s bail laws would also need to address the concerning rise of knife crime across the state.

Earlier this month, Ms Allan instructed Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny and Police Minister Anthony Carbines to conduct a review of the state’s bail laws.

On top of that review, Ms Allan flagged a need to tighten legislation to protect Victorians from knife crime.

“This is of deep concern to me,” she said.

“This is an area where we know there is more work to be done. That’s why it’s part of that work that the Attorney and the Police Minister are undertaking.

Premier Jacinta Allan conceded on Tuesday that a review of the state’s bail laws would also need to address the concerning rise of knife crime across the state. Picture: NewsWire

“We’ll have more to say about strengthening our knife powers in this state very soon because it’s really troubling to see young kids carrying these giant knives and machetes.”

Police were in March given greater powers to crack down on machetes being sold to people without a lawful excuse.

The amendment to the Control of Weapons Act, which came into play on March 27 last year, clarified the definition of a controlled ­weapon, making it illegal to possess a machete without a lawful reason or for shopkeepers to sell them to children.

Separate legislation introduced to parliament last year, which is still yet to be debated and therefore implemented, would also give police stronger powers to stop and search people at random to check whether they’re carrying knives.

Ms Allan said the broader bail review was “well on track” to be completed within the three month deadline she gave parliament this month.

Stronger laws to crackdown on Victoria’s knife crime epidemic may be on the cards. Picture: Olena Sakhatska

“It’s intensive, detailed, important work. It’s happening right now and we’ll have more to say when that work is concluded within that time frame,” she said.

“It remains unacceptable to me that too many people don’t feel safe and it remains unacceptable that we are seeing this repeat pattern of behaviour.”

Opposition police spokesman David Southwick said Victoria’s legislation continued to fall behind other states.

“Labor’s weak laws are emboldening young offenders and leaving Victorians to fend for themselves, while dangerous knives remain readily available on our streets,” he said.

“Under Labor, Victoria is in the midst of a crime crisis that is only getting worse. How many more shocking incidents need to occur before this government wakes up and takes action?”