Girl, 15, accused of stabbing British tourist in Cairns
Police are reassuring people about safety in the Cairns CBD after a 15-year-old girl allegedly stabbed and seriously injured a British tourist.
Visitors to one of Australia's most popular holiday destinations are being assured it is safe after a 15-year-old girl allegedly stabbed and seriously injured a British tourist.
The 25-year-old woman was stabbed in the leg during a fight between two groups of people on Spence Street, a commercial precinct in the heart of the city, on Monday night, police said.
Another man, also part of the group of tourists, suffered a hand injury.
Police said four teenagers were found nearby and arrested.
A 15-year-old girl has been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and committing an act intended to cause grievous bodily harm.
A 16-year-old girl has been charged with three counts of common assault.
Both are due to face a children's court later this month, while two others were released without charge.
Detective Acting Inspector Matthew Hogan said police found a knife after the teenagers were arrested.
However, investigations were continuing into what led to the fight.
"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.
He said the woman's wound was "significant" and police and bystanders including security guards from nearby venues helped her until she could be taken to hospital.
"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.
Asked whether backpackers and residents should feel safe in Far North Queensland's largest centre, Acting Inspector Hogan said more than 15,000 people had been electronically searched for weapons in Cairns since new 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.
Acting Inspector Hogan said the girls' ages were particularly concerning, given the allegations.
"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.