Drizzt
Member
Illawarra Mercury (Australia)
January 29, 2003 Wednesday
SECTION: News; Pg. 12
LENGTH: 300 words
HEADLINE: New Laws Cut Number Of Knives On Streets
BODY:
THOUSANDS of knives have been seized by the state's police officers since the introduction of tough laws targeting illegal weapons, NSW Police Minister Michael Costa said yesterday.
The figures proved the success of the Government's introduction of additional knife search and seizure powers, which have been effective since July 1998, he said. "These results equate to an average 85 knives seized each week in NSW - or 4500 each year," Mr Costa said.
"It's proof police are taking dangerous criminals and their concealed weapons off our streets."
According to the figures, between July 1998 and November 2002, police seized 20,300 knives, conducted 18,527 searches where weapons were found and issued 149,075 "move-on" directions. The latest month's figures available, for November 2002, showed 313 searches were conducted where knives were found, 356 knives were seized and 3829 "move-on" directions were issued.
Mr Costa said that, before proceeding, each knife search required police to have reasonable suspicion the person targeted had a knife or other illegal weapon.
"There is a penalty of up to two years' prison, or fines of $5500, for knife possession," he said.
The "move-on" powers, which were extended last year to allow multiple directions to be issued, allowed police to target anyone suspected of drug dealing, intimidating or harassing people in public places.
Mr Costa said the knife search and "move-on" results followed the latest figures showing 117 drug houses had been closed in NSW and 330 charges laid in the 18 months since tougher drug laws were introduced.
Those new laws include new police powers to tackle so-called "cannabis cafes", other commercial premises supplying drugs, and drug-dealing owners of premises who attempted to "hide behind staff".
January 29, 2003 Wednesday
SECTION: News; Pg. 12
LENGTH: 300 words
HEADLINE: New Laws Cut Number Of Knives On Streets
BODY:
THOUSANDS of knives have been seized by the state's police officers since the introduction of tough laws targeting illegal weapons, NSW Police Minister Michael Costa said yesterday.
The figures proved the success of the Government's introduction of additional knife search and seizure powers, which have been effective since July 1998, he said. "These results equate to an average 85 knives seized each week in NSW - or 4500 each year," Mr Costa said.
"It's proof police are taking dangerous criminals and their concealed weapons off our streets."
According to the figures, between July 1998 and November 2002, police seized 20,300 knives, conducted 18,527 searches where weapons were found and issued 149,075 "move-on" directions. The latest month's figures available, for November 2002, showed 313 searches were conducted where knives were found, 356 knives were seized and 3829 "move-on" directions were issued.
Mr Costa said that, before proceeding, each knife search required police to have reasonable suspicion the person targeted had a knife or other illegal weapon.
"There is a penalty of up to two years' prison, or fines of $5500, for knife possession," he said.
The "move-on" powers, which were extended last year to allow multiple directions to be issued, allowed police to target anyone suspected of drug dealing, intimidating or harassing people in public places.
Mr Costa said the knife search and "move-on" results followed the latest figures showing 117 drug houses had been closed in NSW and 330 charges laid in the 18 months since tougher drug laws were introduced.
Those new laws include new police powers to tackle so-called "cannabis cafes", other commercial premises supplying drugs, and drug-dealing owners of premises who attempted to "hide behind staff".
Still, I do carry around the house...