Coles has announced it will stop selling kitchen knives in all of its Australian stores in response to the alleged stabbing of an employee in Queensland on Monday.
The supermarket heavyweight, which operates some 1500 stores across the country, previously banned a selection of popular kitchen knives from selected stores in November, in what it described as part of its ongoing bid to keep “staff and shoppers safe”.
That ban has now broadened to stores all over the country, with all knives now in the process of being pulled from shelves and removed from aisles.
A Coles spokesperson confirmed to Yahoo News Australia knives are now being pulled nationwide out of an abundance of caution to prevent further incidents.
“Coles has made the decision to withdraw its range of kitchen knives for sale from supermarkets across Australia,” the spokesperson told Yahoo. “SMEG kitchen knives will still be available for redemption at our service desk, until 21 January.
“Coles complies with all legislation regarding the sale of kitchen knives, and this withdrawal is being taken out of an abundance of caution as we conduct a review. The safety of our team members and customers is our number one priority across all aspects of our business.”
Mum of two recovering after horrific alleged stabbing in Coles
Claudia Campomayor Watt, 63, was stocking the fridge at the back of the Coles supermarket in Yamanto Central in Ipswich shortly before 5.30pm on Monday when she was allegedly stabbed in the back with a large knife.
It’s alleged the knife was punctured through the mum’s back with such force that it emerged on the other side of her abdomen and was still embedded while she was transported to hospital.
Campomayor Watt remains in a critical but stable condition at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.
Police allege a 13-year-old boy took the knife from the supermarket. They say he fled the scene but was chased down by bystanders and security guards. The boy has since been charged with attempted murder.
Police allege the attack was random and the boy acted alone. The 13-year-old faced Ipswich Children’s Court on Tuesday morning and did not apply for bail. He is remanded in custody.
with Newswire
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