Knife charge for teen on bike
POLICE acted quickly in response to public reports of a knife-carrying teenager at a caravan park, tracking him down near the skate park in Gympie's CBD.
A young male was reportedly seen carrying two 20cm knives while riding a pushbike through a Gympie caravan park on Saturday. When officers located a 17-year-old suspect, he was pedalling along Monkland St past the skate park at Nelson Reserve.
He was searched and allegedly found in possession of a 15cm knife. It was understood the measured length included the handle.
Police originally went to the caravan park to investigate, where it was discovered the suspect had left after visiting a friend.
He was charged under the Weapons Act for possessing a knife in a public place.
With an increasing number of people fronting Gympie Magistrates Court on similar charges, community concern is growing.
But Gympie Senior Sergeant Graeme Reeves said there was nothing new happening in Gympie in relation to those types of offences.
"It gains a lot more media attention due to armed robbery and stabbing offences being committed in major city and tourist areas," he said.
While it appeared there had been no increase in offences under the Weapons Act, police asked the community to be mindful that police were required to use a commonsense approach to offences in a rural area such as Gympie, where it was common for farmers to carry pocketknives.
"There is a time and a place for everything and you would have to have a very good reason to be in possession of a knife in the CBD," Snr Sgt Reeves said.
