Police will receive sweeping new powers under a dual-pronged Victorian government crackdown on weapons crime.

New laws introduced to Parliament today give police the power to stop people of interest in public and hold them there or at a police station for up to two hours while being served a firearms prohibition order, and also formally make machetes controlled weapons which cannot be possessed without a lawful reason or sold to under 18s.

Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt says the changes close loopholes which have made it difficult for police to apprehend them.

Press PLAY below to hear how the changes will help police target weapons crime

“It’s a good idea, from our perspective,” he told Jacqui Felgate.

Image (inset): iStock