Australia: Victoria will become the first Australian state to ban the sale of machetes, after a violent brawl concerning the weapon erupted at a Melbourne shopping centre.
The move comes after rival youth gangs clashed at Northland Shopping Centre in Preston, initiating police and emergency services to respond to reports of up to 10 people fighting. Four people, including two teenagers aged 15 and 16, have been charged, and more arrests are anticipated as the investigation continues.
One man, 20, remains in hospital in a serious condition. Police have recovered three of the four machetes thought to have been used in the attack. Deputy Commissioner David Clayton stated that, “This was a prepared fight between two rival youth gangs with no innocent bystanders hurt. Youth knife crime stays rare in Victoria, but when it happens, it’s frightening.”
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Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan named the incident ‘appalling’ and confirmed that the state’s machete ban, originally due to begin in September, will now come into effect. The ban is part of modifications to the Control of Weapons Act and prohibits the sale and possession of machetes, defined as blades longer than 20cm. Kitchen knives are not included.
Allan remarked that, “The community shouldn’t have to negotiate with these weapons in their shopping centres, neither should our police.” A three-month amnesty will still begin, permitting Victorians to hand in machetes at designated police stations without penalty.
Police praised a member of the public who detained one of the suspects until officers arrived, although they cautioned against civilians getting involved in such incidents. The machete ban in Victoria tracks similar legislation introduced in England and Wales last year, which targeted so-called zombie-style knives and other weapons commonly connected to gang activity.
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