Authorities have sought to reassure tourists and residents about their safety in Cairns, one of Australia’s leading holiday destinations, following an alleged stabbing involving a 15-year-old girl that left a British tourist seriously injured.
Police said the 25-year-old woman sustained a stab wound to her leg during a confrontation between two groups on Monday night along Spence Street, a busy commercial area in the city’s centre. Another member of the tourist group, a man, also suffered an injury to his hand during the incident.
Four teenagers were located in the vicinity shortly after the alleged attack and subsequently arrested, according to police. A 15-year-old girl has been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and committing an act intended to cause grievous bodily harm, while a 16-year-old girl faces three charges of common assault. Both teenagers are expected to appear before a children’s court later this month. The other two teenagers were released without charge.
Detective Acting Inspector Matthew Hogan said officers recovered a knife following the arrests. Police investigations remain underway as authorities work to establish the circumstances that triggered the altercation and determine how the confrontation escalated into violence.
“We’re still talking to the victims and witnesses to try and really get to the bottom of what started all this and how it’s flared up so quickly into serious injuries,” Acting Inspector Hogan said.
Describing the injured woman’s condition, Hogan said the wound was “significant”. He explained that responding police officers and members of the public, including security personnel working at nearby establishments, provided assistance before the woman was transported to hospital for treatment.
“I know the first response officers did a great job with tactical first aid that we’re trained in these days and did their best,” he said.
The injured British tourist was subsequently taken to Cairns Hospital. The incident has raised concerns about public safety in the city, which attracts international visitors, including backpackers, throughout the year.
Responding to questions about whether tourists and local residents should feel safe in Far North Queensland’s largest city, Hogan pointed to police efforts to prevent weapon-related offences. He said more than 15,000 people had undergone electronic weapons searches in Cairns since additional police powers were introduced in July last year.
“It’s obviously concerning … and I understand why people would have those sort of thoughts, but I just want to emphasise we do a lot of work around the prevention of this sort of crime,” he said.
Hogan also expressed concern about the ages of the two girls facing charges in connection with the incident, given the seriousness of the allegations against them. He said police officers assigned to patrol the city centre regularly engage with members of the public as part of efforts to deter violence and prevent similar incidents.
“Our city beat officers are regularly out in the street just engaging with people and trying to prevent this sort of stuff happening,” he said.
