Arabic version: منتدى في كانبيرا يستمع إلى مخاوف بشأن السلامة عقب حوادث عنيفة

According to ABC News, about 100 residents attended a Liberal-hosted community forum in Tuggeranong to discuss youth crime and safety concerns following several violent incidents in Canberra’s south.

The meeting came after a stabbing involving a student outside Lake Tuggeranong College last week. Two youths were charged this month over that incident. A woman identified as Samantha, whose name was changed for safety reasons, told the forum her family had faced physical abuse, online harassment and threats after her son was allegedly shot at in a drive-by shooting last month.

Canberra Liberals leader Mark Parton said he was concerned about what he described as a perceived increase in violent crime. He questioned crime statistics showing an overall decline, saying some people may be reluctant to report disturbances because they believe police will not attend.

Deputy Liberal leader Deborah Morris said she would continue advocating for “Jack’s Law”, which would give police powers to use wands on people without reasonable suspicion they were carrying a weapon. Mr Parton also said legislation raising the age of criminal responsibility to 14 had “gone a step too far”.

The ACT government has previously rejected calls to expand policing powers, citing a lack of evidence, though it is considering legislation that could allow handheld metal detection wands. ACT Policing’s latest annual report recorded 4,291 total offences in 2025-26, down 5.5 per cent from 4,540 in 2024-25, while “other offences against a person” rose 1.7 per cent. Police Minister Marisa Paterson said recent incidents were deeply concerning but youth offending had remained relatively stable over recent years.