Danger: ‘Superpredators’ Are Coming, Again!
As reported in an earlier blog, Victorian Chief Police Commissioner Graham Ashton claims that a rise in that state’s crime is largely attributable to the ‘Grand Theft Auto Generation’ – young criminals who mimic the stylised crimes in violent video...
California Police to Get Nunchucks
Nunchucks are often associated with ninjas or martial artists like the legendary Bruce Lee. But it looks like they will soon become a standard police weapon, at least in California. Nunchucks are two solid sticks connected with a cord or...
The “Grand Theft Auto” Generation and Violent Crime
Victoria saw an 8.1 per cent increase in crime last year, largely driven by double digit percentage growth in theft, drug and weapons offences. Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton has expressed concerns about a dramatic rise in youth offending,...
Copycat Crimes
The “copycat effect” refers to crimes which are inspired by media coverage of a previous crimes - or movies and TV shows which document fictional offences. Over the years, there have been a number of high-profile “copycat crimes” both in...
43 Years in Isolation: Cruel and Inhumane Punishment?
It’s been a long and lonely road to freedom for Albert Woodfox - who, until his recent release, was America’s longest-serving solitary confinement prisoner. Mr Woodfox had been kept in isolation since 1972, when he, along with co-accused Herman Wallace,...
Australia’s Most Famous Bank Robbery
Bank robberies and dramatic ‘hold-ups’ make for gripping movie plots - but to what extent does this mirror real life? Just last week, a botched bank robbery took place in Sydney’s CBD, right in front of visiting celebrity Kelly Osborne,...
Police Get Serious About Enforcing Laser Pointer Laws
While it may sound like fun to play superhero with a pocket laser, as Obi-Wan Kenobi has said, a lightsaber is “the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or random as a blaster. An elegant weapon for a...
Firearms Control Laws: Has Australia Got It Right?
Australia and the United States share many similarities - but one of the most striking differences is their respective approaches to gun ownership. Australia has gained recognition for its progressive approach to gun violence following the horrific Port Arthur massacre...
What You Shouldn’t Do in a Public Place
The silly season is upon us - and for most of us, the holiday period is marked by festivities and celebrations with family and friends. It is an especially busy period for police across Australia, who will charge thousands of...
NSW Police Adopt a ‘Shoot to Kill’ Policy
On the 13th of November 2015, the world watched in horror as a group of armed men carried out a series of orchestrated attacks at various locations around Paris. In the wake of these atrocities, the international community has been...
Receive all of our articles weekly