NT Releases Knife Crime Reduction Strategy

Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles speaks to the media during a press conference outside Parliament in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia on Apr. 9, 2021. AAP Image/Aaron Bunch

The Northern Territory  (NT) Labor Government has released a Knife Crime Reduction Strategy to assist current initiatives tackling knife crime in the Territory.

The Strategy released on Aug. 29 comes after the alleged stabbing of 20-year-old Declan Laverty in March 2023 by Keith Kerinauia, 19, who was out on bail for aggravated assault. Kerinauia was charged with murder and will stand trial in the Supreme Court.

The stabbing, which took place at a BWS bottle shop in Jingili, sparked a rally of protests and petitions calling on the government to “stand up and act.”

In response, the Territory government analysed the knife crime data contributing to the Strategy, with the data showing that about half of all knife crime incidents are related to Domestic and Family Violence. At the same time, young people make up only a small number of knife-related offences.

However, in a statement to the media, the NT government said knives and edged weapons make up only five percent of violent crimes, but “any strategy must focus on violent crimes holistically.”

A man pulls a knife from his back pocket in a file photo dated Jan. 16, 2020. Andrew Matthews/PA

Attorney General Chansey Paech said the government are “adopting holistic approaches to prevent violence of all kinds in our community, and that’s what this strategy will focus on: education, prevention and harm reduction.”

“As a government, we are committed to working with law enforcement agencies, the non-government sector, Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and businesses to build inclusive, empowered and safe communities,” Mr. Paech said.

Knife or edged weapon offences increased last year, coupled with growing public concern, highlighting the need for the Northern Territory (NT) to action strategies.

Knife Crime Reduction Strategy in Depth

According to the Knife Crime Reduction Strategy, short-term (3-6 months) and medium-term (6-12 months) actions would be undertaken to address the underlying drivers contributing to knife-related offending.

Short-term actions respond to individuals sleeping rough who carry knives for practical purposes and protection with no intention of offending, such as ensuring these people have alternative strategies to feel safe.

Among others, the short-term actions would include developing an evidence-informed, culturally appropriate violence awareness campaign, including the dangers of carrying a knife and an action plan to enhance the detection and prevention of knife-related crime in public places.

“Territorians deserve to feel safe, and that’s why we are focusing on delivering positive, generational change that will benefit our children, their families and the wider community,” Mr. Paech said.

Meanwhile, medium-term action would include continuing to partner across agencies to develop consistent de-escalation training across schools and service providers while developing a culturally appropriate trauma and injury-informed harm reduction framework.

Change.org: Justice for Declan Laverty

The NT government’s action of knife crime follows a Change.org petition started by Declan Laverty’s mother, Samara Laverty, who had alleged that there was little to no government effort regarding the crime in the NT.

The Change.org petition called on Chief Minister Natasha Fyles to “acknowledge what the people of your Territory are going through” and for the government to follow Jack’s Law in Qld, allowing police officers to detect people carrying knives publicly.

However, on July 24 2023, Fyles NT government gave NT Police more robust powers to stop and search individuals for unlawfully possessed knives and other weapons in public places.

Amendments proposed to the Police Legislation Further Amendment Bill 2023 would authorise police to use handheld scanners to detect, seize and destroy weapons carried by individuals.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said, “If someone uses that weapon in a violent crime, it’s going to be even harder to get bail.”

“There is no place for knife crime in the Territory and no excuses for people who commit knife crime,” Ms. Fyles said.

Earlier this year, the NT government also strengthened presumptions against bail for those involved in violent offences involving a weapon.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles speaks during a press conference in Darwin, Australia, on May 13, 2022. AAP Image/Aaron Bunch

Ms. Fyles said community safety is paramount and “enough is enough; this behaviour has to stop.”

“Our Government, just like every Territorian, is fed up with acts of violence on our streets and towards our workers,” she said.

“We will keep listening to the community and the experts and keep working every day to make the Territory safer.”

Other initiatives the Territory Labor Government rolled out earlier this year include giving capsicum spray to Transit Safety Officers.

Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Minister Eva Lawler said in a media release that using the spray “will be an effective tool for our transit safety officers when dealing with confronting situations.”

“We will be ensuring a number of safety mechanisms and strict use of force provisions will be in place to ensure it is used appropriately and in a safe manner,” Ms. Lawler said.

The government announced it would not introduce further legislative amendments at this stage.