Knife haul vindicates stab vest push

A Great Southern police officer believes the seizure of more than 25 dangerous knives in a routine traffic stop at the weekend is further proof of the urgency police officers need to be provided with stab-proof vests.

The haul was found in a car in Wagin on Saturday.

It came a day after approval by the State Government to provide officers with stab-proof ballistic vests.

The WA Police Union had been campaigning for greater protection in the form of body armour for officers.

Wagin police had been targeting speeding drivers on Albany Highway when a Perth man was stopped about 11am.

Police allegedly found a 30cm knife in the driver’s-side door of the car.

A subsequent search of the car allegedly resulted in more than 25 knives of various sizes and a taser torch found in various locations in the vehicle which were then seized.

Wagin police Sergeant Mick Williams said police were still investigating why the man was allegedly carrying the knives and heading towards Albany.

Sgt Williams said the incident showed officers were exposed to potentially dangerous scenarios.

“It’s not often you pull up a car with this many knives in it,” he said.

“You never know what you could run into (as an officer).”

Sgt Williams said the haul of knives included hunting, military and kitchen-style blades.

So far no charges have been laid.