Authorities were called to James Ruse Drive in Clyde, Sydney, following reports two men – both Australian Border Force employees – had been stabbed as they took a Tongan National to an airport
A manhunt is underway for a thug who stabbed two immigration officials who were taking him to an airport.
The 28-year-old man, who police say is a Tongan National, was being transported to the hub – where it is understood he was supposed to be sent on a flight out of Australia – when he assaulted the employees. The victims; a 54-year-old man and a 36-year-old man, were dashed to hospital.
The horror happened in James Ruse Drive in Clyde, Sydney, at around 3.40am local time (6.40pm Wednesday UK time) shortly after the Australian Border Force staff had left an address in Villawood, Canterbury-Bankstown for Sydney Airport, a drive which should take less than 30 minutes.
But during it, the Tongan National attacked the men, reportedly with a knife, leaving the older man with a neck wound and his colleague with a cheek injury. They are in hospital with injuries thought not to be life threatening. The assailant, who is known to police is now on the run, police say.
New South Wales Police Superintendent Simon Glasser said: “The male is known to frequent the Mount Pritchard and south-west Sydney areas and was last tracked by dog squad toward Harris Park. We ask members of the public to be vigilant … this was obviously a violent offence that occurred. We ask the public to be wary. If they they see the male they should contact us not to approach him.”
Immigration is hot topic abroad and here at the moment. Keir Starmer had divided opinion in the UK by this weekwarning the UK could become a “nation of strangers” as he unveiled plans to tackle the matter. These include stricter English language requirements, an end of overseas recruitment for social care workers and stricter rules for students.
And the man in Sydney is a Tongan national, New South Wales Police confirmed. He’s described as being of Pacific Islander/Maori appearance, with a tanned complexion, a large build, about 180cm tall with black hair, dark eyes and is unshaven. At the time, he was wearing a black coat, black track trousers and black and white trainers.
Detectives recovered a sharp metal object from the scene but are appealing for information from the public to snag the yob. A spokesman for New South Wales Police said: “Officers attached to Cumberland Police Area Command, with assistance of specialist police including the Dog Unit are continuing to search the area…The two injured men are being treated at Westmead Hospital; police have been told the injuries are not considered to be serious.”
In Australia, migrants only have to have lived in the country for four years on a visa before they can begin to apply for citizenship. Currently, foreign students in UK universities can stay on for two years after they finish their degree, via the graduate visa route. The new changes will reduce this period to just 18 months. Graduates in Australia, though, can stay up to twice as long on a graduate visa, from two to three years.
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