Vic: Two weeks in, knife amnesty producing the goods

AAP General News (Australia)
04-14-2010
Vic: Two weeks in, knife amnesty producing the goods

Eds: Removes reference in 1st par to 1200 weapons being handed in during past two weeks



MELBOURNE, April 14 AAP - Victoria is two weeks into a month-long amnesty on knives
and already bolt action rifles, swords and other weapons have been handed in to police.

Victoria Police launched the knife amnesty on April 1 to give people the opportunity
to surrender any unwanted or illegal items without facing penalty.

It's not just knives being handed over - shotguns, swords, nunchakus, a dart gun, flares
and even a bag of old firecrackers have been surrendered to police.

Country residents are leading the way with the most weapons being handed in at Ballarat,
including various types of swords, knives, dart guns and bolt action rifles and a magazine
containing .22 rounds.

High numbers of weapons have also been handed in in Warrnambool, Werribee and Wonthaggi.

People have two more weeks to surrender unwanted or illegal items.

Last October a Weapons Amnesty resulted in the surrender of more than 1200 weapons
across the state.

Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe says police are pleased with the number of weapons
already given up and encouraged people to continue to take advantage of the amnesty.

"It is pleasing to see members of the community have taken advantage of this initiative
and have helped reduce the amount of weapons in circulation," Deputy Commissioner Walshe
said.

"By coming forward it shows people are not only thinking about their safety but also
the safety of the broader community."

AAP jxt/maur/gr

KEYWORD: KNIVES (REISSUING)

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