In response to concerns about the safety of its staff and customers, supermarket chain Coles has decided to remove a range of kitchen knives from its stores all across Australia.
The company noted that it’s committed to maintaining a safe environment for its customers. Some of the knives that were removed from shelves include those in Sydney’s Bondi Junction and Queen Street in Brisbane.
According to the company, the decision to remove the kitchen knives came after consultation with its team members and the community.
Martine Alpins, a spokesperson for Coles, said that although the company’s SMEG campaign is focused on all of its stores across the country, some of its locations do not stock kitchen knives.
Alpins noted that the company’s team members have been trained on how to handle and store knives, and they’re also being taught about the laws in their local areas.
The knives are packaged in blister packs, and they require an additional tool, such as a scissors, to open.
This product is packaged in blister packs that are equipped with tamper seals. This comes after a spike in knife-related crimes across the country, especially among young individuals.
In New South Wales, for instance, the state government has been taking action following a series of stabbing incidents.
Due to the incidents, the police have been allowed to use electronic metal detectors, or “wands,” to search people without a warrant in certain areas.
In response to the 2019 death of Jack Beasley, the Queensland government enacted various knife-related laws last year.
One of these, known as “Jack’s Law,” allowed the police to carry out metal detections in certain areas, such as public transport stations and Safe Night Precincts.
In September, the state government banned the sale of all knives to people under 18 years old.
These laws also banned the sale of gel blasters, axes, swords, and machetes. They additionally prohibited advertisements for these weapons that imply they’re suitable for combat.
Steve Gollschewski, the police commissioner of Queensland, noted that the state’s residents rely on the services of the police to keep them safe.
In Australia, about 350 Woolworths stores have stopped selling knives following a violent incident in Melbourne in 2021.
In the state of Victoria, the sale of these weapons is only allowed to be done by individuals over the age of 18 years.