Tuesday, 4 February 2025

Youth crime

Trung LUU (Western Metropolitan) (18:24): (1360) My matter is for the Minister for Police and Community Safety regarding the rise in knife crime incidents among youth offenders. The action I seek is for the minister to invest more in crime prevention programs to prevent knives from getting into the hands of young offenders. In December a constituent of mine was stabbed in broad daylight while exiting a train at Werribee station, just down from my office. He was attacked by a group of 10 teenagers and sustained multiple cuts and a punctured lung.

A recent report from Monash University’s Victorian injury surveillance unit indicated that knife wound admissions to hospital have risen by over 88 per cent from 2014 to now under this government, with children up to the age of 14 representing the largest increase in hospital admissions. However, these figures do not accurately reflect the true impact of knife assaults on the public. Some instances do not receive media attention, and others have not been reported to police. Victoria at the moment is facing a crime crisis. Last year alone Victoria Police seized over 14,800 edged weapons, averaging 40 knives, machetes and other blades per day. How can Victorians, especially those in my electorate of Western Metropolitan Region, expect to feel safe when every day 40 knives, machetes and other blades are seized from young offenders? When will this government prioritise investment in crime prevention programs instead of focusing on the $216 billion Suburban Rail Loop? If we take action now, we can reduce the number of victims in hospital and limit the number of young offenders who end up incarcerated. We need to ensure that young offenders can reach their full potential. Will the minister commit to investing more in crime prevention programs to prevent knives from getting into the hands of young offenders?