Knives stashed in public places across Melbourne, police believe

Victoria Police is alarmed by the increasing trend of young people storing communal weapons, such as machetes and zombie knives, in public places across Melbourne. Intelligence reports suggest that teenagers are hiding such weapons at busy train stations to avoid detection while committing violent crimes. The ban on owning machetes, implemented last year, has allegedly fueled the growing use of these communal weapons.

Shadow Police Minister Brad Battin emphasized the need for expanded police stop-and-search powers to combat this issue, as minors are hiding weapons in easily accessible locations prone to knife crime. Australian criminologist Nathan Ryan explained that young people are engaging in this behavior to reduce the risk of being caught with illegal weapons.

However, criminologists and rights groups argue that expanded stop-and-search powers have little evidence of reducing violent offending. Currently, police can only conduct random searches of individuals within pre-approved zones during specific times. Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed that officers are aware of the attempt to conceal weapons in public places and conduct regular sweeps of railway station surrounds to detect concealed weapons.

Between late 2024 and mid-2025, a surge in knife attacks occurred at various locations, including train stations, bus stops, shopping centers, and Melbourne's CBD. Notable incidents include a woman seriously injured on Elizabeth Street and two men fatally stabbing another man for refusing to hand over his shoes. The intelligence reports highlight that the number of crimes committed at train stations increased significantly over the past few years, indicating a concerning escalation in knife-related violence.