Knife amnesty

POLICE will tackle increasing knife and weapon crime with a statewide amnesty this month.
Deputy Commissioner Ken Jones encouraged people to surrender any unwanted or illegal firearms and weapons to their local police station during Community Safety Month, 1 to 31 October.
Mr Jones said the total number of robberies had decreased over the past year but there was a 9.4 per cent rise in knife armed robberies. More offenders aged 10 to 19 used knives during robberies, and assaults using knives increased in the 15to24 age group.
Mr Jones said police believed young people carried knives because they thought they were cool or for defence. “We need to challenge the emerging culture we are seeing before it takes a stronger grip,” he said. “Anyone who chooses not to use this opportunity and carries a knife will be dealt with by police to the full extent of the law.”
People must wrap weapons in paper, plastic or cloth, ensure firearms are not loaded and are encouraged to ring the police station before taking them in.
Police will arrange safe disposal of military ordnances and explosives. Dandenong Police Station is at 50 Langhorne Street, on 9767 7444, and Springvale Police Station, 314 Springvale Road, on 8558 8600.