Hannah Beazley: Man armed with nunchucks arrested after making threats outside WA minister’s office

A man has been arrested after allegedly storming WA State politician Hannah Beazley’s electoral office while armed with nunchucks on Wednesday afternoon.

The 56-year-old was arrested in the nearby suburb of Bentley and is assisting police. No injuries have been reported.

A WA Police spokesman said they received reports about 1.15pm regarding “a man causing a disturbance at an electoral office on Albany Highway in Victoria Park”.

“It was reported that the man was making verbal threats while in possession of what has been described as nunchucks,” the spokesman said.

“Police swiftly attended the area and located the man nearby in Bentley.”

Ms Beazley is WA’s Minister for Local Government, Disability Services, Volunteering, Youth and Gascoyne.

In a written statement, the state politician said her staff were “faced with a confronting situation when a member of the public entered the office armed with a weapon.”

“Police were called, and a person has been taken into custody,” she said.

“I have spoken to my staff, who are understandably shaken and upset by what took place. Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident.

“Right now, my focus is on the welfare of those staff members.”

Ms Beazley said everyone had the right to “go about our lives free from the fear of violence, at work, at home and in the community.”

“I thank the police officers who responded quickly and soon had a person in custody. Their response to this incident and the support they have provided my staff is greatly appreciated,” she said.

“At this time, I do not know the motivation behind what occurred today, and as the matter is now subject of a police investigation I won’t comment further.”

The incident comes after Independent MP Helen Haines was run down by a car in an alleged targeted attack outside her electoral office in Wangaratta this week. Ms Haines has lost both her legs as a result of the incident.

More to come.