The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, has renewed calls for police stop and search powers to be expanded after a haul of concealed weapons were uncovered during a recent Victoria Police operation in Morwell.
During the blitz in the Morwell CBD, local police arrested 12 people and seized seven knives, underscoring the prevalence of people carrying concealed weapons and the need to strengthen police stop and search powers.
“Seven knives were seized in the Morwell CBD in just 48 hours. These are startling numbers and prove the Allan Labor Government must do more to address the knife crime epidemic sweeping the state,” Mr Cameron said.
“Recent legislative changes mean police can exercise stop and search powers in a designated zone for up to six months, but only once it has been advertised publicly.
“But with knife crime at an all-time high we need to arm police with greater stop and search powers – including in undesignated zones – to restore community safety that has been eroded because of Labor’s inaction.
“Protective Services Officers (PSOs) can also stop and search in designated areas, but this is little comfort to those of us outside Melbourne considering just four train stations in the whole of regional Victoria are patrolled by PSOs.
“There are more than 1100 vacancies for Victoria Police officers, so deploying PSOs to all stations in Victoria is sensible action the Allan Labor Government can take now to bolster frontline services to keep communities safe.
“If the Allan Labor Government is serious about ensuring the safety of regional Victorians, it will also implement the ban on machetes immediately – not in four months’ time.
“For too long communities across Victoria have been held to ransom by violent criminals.
“Labor cannot manage money, cannot manage our police service, and Victorians are paying the price.”
