Call for tougher stance on knives

A LOCAL Liberal candidate has used the recent stabbing involving a Doveton teenager to call for a zero tolerance approach towards knife-wielding youths.
Emanuele Cicchiello wants the State Government to crack down on young people who carry knives and consider implementing tougher minimum sentences for those caught committing such an offence.
The Holt candidate has responded after an incident at a party in Boronia earlier this month that was gate crashed by a number of youths.
A 16-year-old Doveton boy was charged with assault causing serious injury and assault with a weapon after a 15-year-old boy was taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital with serious injuries.
He was treated for stab wounds to the abdomen and arm.
“People carrying concealed weapons such as knives do so for one reason and that’s to intentionally cause injury to others in the community,” Mr Cicchiello said.
He said more must be done to protect young people attending parties and other social events.
“The organisers of these parties and their parents need to be able to work with the police by notifying authorities of a party in advance.
“Police would then at least be aware of a party going on in the area and could check in to ensure everything was running smoothly,” he said.
Police recently charged a Cranbourne trader following the sale of 14 illegal flick knives at a variety shop at Centro Cranbourne Shopping Centre. When police searched the store they recovered 26 of the items, priced at $3, and found that 14 had already been sold in the space of a week.
And those who bought the prohibited weapons also face charges.
A 42-year-old Glen Waverley man has been charged with displaying, possessing and selling a prohibited weapon.
Mr Cicchiello said a closer relationship between the community and police would lead to more trust and lower the likelihood of parties getting out of control.