Coles has made a drastic decision to stop selling knives in all its supermarkets across Australia.
This move comes after a terrifying attack on one of its employees, 63-year-old Claudia Campomayor Watt, who was allegedly stabbed by a 13-year-old boy in Ipswich.
The incident has left the community in shock and raised concerns about the safety of employees and customers.
The Attack That Led to the Ban
On Monday, just before 5:30 pm, Claudia was stocking the fridge at the back of the Coles store in Yamanto Central shopping centre when she was stabbed in the back with a large knife.
The knife punctured through her back with such force that it emerged on the other side of her abdomen. Claudia is currently fighting for her life in a critical condition at Princess Alexandra Hospital.
The Alleged Attacker
The 13-year-old boy who allegedly stabbed Claudia has been charged with attempted murder and faced Ipswich Children’s Court on Tuesday. He did not apply for bail and has been remanded in custody.
Coles’ Decision to Withdraw Knives
Coles has announced that it will withdraw its range of kitchen knives from supermarkets across Australia as a precautionary measure.
A spokesperson for Coles said, “The safety of our team members and customers is our number one priority across all aspects of our business.”
This decision has been made to ensure the well-being of employees and customers, despite Coles complying with all legislation regarding the sale of kitchen knives.
The Bigger Picture: Youth Crime in Queensland
The incident has sparked a debate about the effectiveness of Queensland’s new “adult crime, adult time” youth justice laws, which were introduced in December 2024.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has faced questions about the laws, with some arguing that they do not go far enough to address the state’s youth crime epidemic.
The Premier has acknowledged that the stabbing at Yamanto Central shopping centre reflects the youth crime problem in the state, saying, “What has unfolded is something that no Queenslander wants to see.”
A Call for Action
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has echoed the Premier’s words, saying that people should “be safe in their homes and their workplaces.”
He also shared a disturbing story about a female employee of an IGA who had a machete pulled on her, highlighting the lasting impact of such incidents on victims.
The incident has sparked a call for action to address the youth crime problem in Queensland and ensure that employees and customers can feel safe in their workplaces and communities.
With Coles’ decision to ban knife sales, the company is taking a proactive step to prioritize the safety of its employees and customers.
As the debate about youth crime in Queensland continues, one thing is clear: something needs to be done to address the issue and prevent such incidents from happening in the future.