Battle of the blade
Adelaide Advertiser, Page: 13. Friday, 4 July, 2008
Knives continue to be a criminal’s weapon of choice despite attempts by the Government to outlaw and reduce their influence.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows a knife was the most common type of weapon used in committing murder, attempted murder and robberies in Australia last year.
A weapon was used in 65 per cent of attempted murders, 61 per cent of murders and 43 per cent of robberies.
Yesterday, a senior member of the Gypsy Jokers bikie gang was arrested during a property raid in the northern suburbs.
Police raided the Blair Athol house on Wednesday and allegedly found weapons and drugs inside.
Two men, 48 one of whom is a senior member of the Gypsy Jokers were charged with firearms and weapons offences.
Weapons including four firearms, four throwing knives, an ASP baton and defensive spray were seized, along with a small amount of unknown drugs.
Australia-wide, a knife was used in 100 (41 per cent) attempted murders and 81 murders (32 per cent) last year. A knife was also used in 3632 robberies (20 per cent).
Advertiser requests to South Australian police for statistics regarding knife crimes in SA in the first half of this year were unsuccessful yesterday.
Late last month, a knife was used in the stabbing murder of a man in the state ‘s Mid North. A Clare Woman, 31, has been charged with stabbing her de facto partner in their Mid North home.
At a press conference regarding the seizure of a cache of weapons in Blair Athol, Detective Sergeant Mark Boileau of the Crime Gangs Task Force said certain knives could pose just as big a threat as firearms.
“That’s why they are outlawed by statute (because) they are a lethal weapon,” he said.
“This is very disconcerting, these weapons pose a serious threat to the community.” He said police would continue seizing dangerous weapons from criminals to ensure the community’s safety.
Legislation passed in July 2004 significantly increased the penalties for carrying knives and other weapons in and around SA pubs and clubs.
Under the laws, anyone found with a weapon in the vicinity of a licensed premises after 9pm faces up to two years ‘ jail and/or a $10,000 fine compared with six months ‘jail and/or a $2500 fine previously.
Last week, the Adelaide Magistrates Court heard a Welland man was acting in “self-defence” when he fatally stabbed his mother’s de facto partner with a knife on June 26. In February, armed youths believed to be in a street gang terrorised staff and patrons at Buddha Bar when they walked through the club wielding swords and knives.
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