On Saturday morning, a man presented a knife while robbing a milkbar on Raleigh Road. When the attendant refused to hand over cash, the offender fled. He was later arrested by police and charged with offences including armed robbery and making threats to kill. The North Melbourne man, 24, will appear before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on May 24. On Saturday night, a man's ear was sliced with a machete at a function at Pennell Reserve, Braybrook. A group of up to 10 people arrived and started an argument outside.

The 38-year-old was attacked as he tried to close the door of the sports club. He received stitches at Western Hospital.

The armed attacks occurred as a new police unit combating street crime hit the beat this week. The State Government has spent $47million on the operational response unit, and the 120 specially trained officers will be targeting Victoria's hot spots for assaults, use of weapons and alcohol-related violence.

Police demonstrated their new search powers at Footscray railway station in January, confiscating 12 weapons, including knuckledusters, knives and a machete.

The Government has also announced a crackdown on sales of illegal knives, with Consumer Affairs inspectors to search shops and markets.

Retailers risk having prohibited weapons seized and fines of up to $30,000.

Western suburbs worker Les Twentyman has organised a summit on violence in Melbourne. Speakers will include former Western Australia Police commissioner Bob Falconer and victims of violent crime. The forum is next Tuesday, 10.30am-1pm, at the Catholic parish of St Peter and Paul, corner of Dorcas and Montague streets, South Melbourne.

Details: 96960644 or 0408569155.