Police uncover knives and machetes in car

Mt Barker police have charged a Kendenup man after discovering seven knives and two machetes in a car during a routine traffic stop last night.

Police stopped the car on Mead Street at about 9.30pm and found the weapons which included daggers and a throwing knife in the back of the car during a search.

Mt Barker police officer in charge Sergeant David Johnson said the driver told officers he was carrying the knives for the purpose of self defence which was not a lawful excuse under the Weapons Act.

Sgt Johnson said the knives were classified as controlled weapons.

“You can’t carry a weapon for the purpose of self defence,” he said.

“There are exemptions under the weapons act such as for work purposes.”

Police charged the 40-year-old Kendenup man with nine counts of possessing a controlled weapon and driving under fines suspension.

He will appear in court at a later date.