Call to hand over weapons

By Tania Martin
HILLS residents are being urged to surrender their weapons as part of a state wide amnesty program.
A range of weapons have already been handed to police include a 50-year-old samurai sword which was handed in to Monbulk police.
Residents have just two weeks left of the amnesty which started on 1 April and gives people the opportunity to hand in unwanted or illegal items without facing any penalties.
Monbulk’s Sergeant Alan Fincher has warned residents they can’t carry Swiss army or Stanley knives with them when walking the streets.
He said anything that could potentially harm a person could be considered a weapon.
Sgt Fincher said there were many nurserymen or tradesmen in the area who carry these sorts of items.
But he said it was not acceptable to be carrying them around at 2am in the morning.
This comes after police recently intercepted a man carrying a practice sword made out of wood and a studded wrist band.
Sgt Fincher said they could have been used to cause significant harm to someone in the community.
The 33-year-old man was picked up on 26 March following complaints. Monbulk police say swords and baseball bats have been the most popular weapons of choice in the hills.
“For people who have weapons lying around at home now is the time to turn them in,” Sgt Fincher said.
The amnesty saw more than 1200 weapons handed in last year and more than 2400 in 2008.
Victoria Police deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe said it was great to see so many weapons being handed in. “By coming forward it shows people are not only thinking of their safety but also the safety of the broader community,” he said. Mr Walshe said weapons needed to be wrapped in paper, plastic or cloth prior to disposal.
Residents are also advised to ring their local police station before taking the items in.
The amnesty will run until the end of the month.