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A report into knife crime has been ordered and a package of initiatives to address New Zealand's emerging knife crime problem has been announced by Justice Minister Simon Power.
Knife crime is a growing problem in New Zealand. Back in 1999, the offences for cutting or stabbing someone were around 1,000 a year. Now the number is around 1,800 a year.
The Minister ordered the report after concerns were raised by a High Court judge and the Youth Justice Independent Advisory Group.
Power said the government needs to take the issue of knife crime seriously.
"Knife crime is regarded as a significant problem in some overseas jurisdictions, and I am determined to stop it escalating in New Zealand, which is why I'm taking action now."
Power's new measures include increasing the penalty for possession of a knife from two years' imprisonment to three years' imprisonment; hiring Police Education Officers in schools to provide information about the dangers of carrying knives, especially when combined with alcohol; and getting Child, Youth and Family (CYF) to work with Fresh Start to ensure their programmes and orders address the dangers of carrying knives, and teach young people better ways of dealing with conflict.
Other measures included are limiting the sale of knives through a voluntary accord with police, local authorities, and retailers to restrict the sale of knives to young people and improving information sharing between justice agencies on knives and other weapon use.
Increasing knife crime penalties will add about 15 to 20 new prisoners every year at a cost of $2 million annually.
"The measures I am announcing today are aimed at reducing the number of young people carrying knives without a good reason, reducing knife-related offending, and increasing public safety," Power said.
Also looked at was the UK law to deal with knife crime, which would allow only those over the age of 18 to buy a knife, but that was rejected.
"We couldn't have policy that wasn't practical &we need to be realistic about what we can achieve, but at the same time, if it's enough of a problem for judges to be making public statements about it, I'm prepared to have a good look at it," Power said.
He said the new measures show the government is serious about ensuring that knife crime does not get a hold in the country.
