Minister orders report on knife crime laws 

Source: NZPASimon Power

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The government is re-examining knife crime laws following concerns expressed by a High Court judge last week.

Justice Minister Simon Power says he has ordered a report on knife possessions laws, after Justice Raynor Asher said during the sentencing for the knife murder of 26-year-old Daryl Graydon that it was time for Parliament have another look.

"When disagreements or fights develop, the presence and the use of the knife turns the encounter into something lethal that has absolutely devastating consequences for the victim, the victim's family and our society," Justice Asher said last week.

"Somehow the message has to be imparted to young people that it is unacceptable for knives to be carried in public places."

A 20-year-old man, whose name was suppressed, was sentenced to at least 11 years in jail for the stabbing of Graydon in suburban Auckland in December 2007.

Power says the issue has been looked at in the United Kingdom, so it was time for New Zealand to look at them too.

"We need to make sure our laws are sending a message to young people that it's totally unacceptable to have knives in public places and that there will be consequences if this happens."

A report is expected at the end of the month.

"If our existing laws need toughening, then I'll look at that," Power said.

The Summary Offences Act provides penalty of up to three months in prison or a fine of up to $2000 for possession of a knife in a public place without reasonable excuse.

The Crime Act also makes it an offence to carry a knife in a public place without reasonable excuse, with a penalty of up to two years in prison.

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