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Woman allegedly stabbed by teenager at Yamanto now stable as ...

Woman allegedly stabbed by teenager at Yamanto now stable as
A 13-year-old boy who allegedly stabbed a supermarket worker was known to child safety, the ABC understands.

A 13-year-old boy who allegedly stabbed a supermarket worker in what police say was a "random" attack was known to child safety, the ABC understands.

Claudia Campomayor Watt, 63, was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after she was stabbed while working at Coles at Yamanto Central Shopping Centre in Ipswich, west of Brisbane, on Monday.  

On Thursday, a Queensland Health spokesperson said Ms Watt remains in hospital but is now in a stable condition.

 A picture of a woman with a dress on

Ms Watt was rushed to hospital in a critical condition. (Supplied)

The 13-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder. The ABC understands he has complex needs and was known to the Department of Child Safety.

Police have made a public appeal for information about the teenager's movements in the lead up to the incident.

They believe he may have been walking along the Cunningham Highway between Ripley and the Yamanto exit between 1pm and 2:30pm.

"To assist investigations, detectives would like to speak to anyone who may have observed him, has dashcam footage or had any interaction with the boy," Queensland Police Service said.

Victim of crime poster

Victim assist services have set up at the shopping centre. (ABC News: Stephen Clarke)

Knives taken off shelves 

On Wednesday, Coles supermarket announced it would stop selling kitchen knives "out of an abundance of caution".

Coles to no longer sell knives

A major supermarket has announced it will no longer sell kitchen knives after one of its employees was allegedly stabbed by a 13-year-old boy in Queensland on Monday. 

Last year Queensland banned the sale of controlled items — such as kitchen or steak knives — to people under the age of 18.

Only specific items — including double-edged daggers, swords, machetes, or axes — also had to be securely stored by retailers.

Premier David Crisafulli said he would look at whether the state's knife laws need to be tightened.

Since the incident, Yamanto Central Shopping Centre, including the Coles supermarket, has reopened for trading, with an increased police presence.

Security in shopping centre

Mr Nardi said the best approach to improved safety is an industry security partnership. (ABC News: Stephen Clarke)

Shopping Centre Council of Australia's chief executive Angus Nardi said the incident was a "huge concern" for the industry, adding the best approach to improved safety was an industry partnership with the government.  

Yamanto is Karen Marshall's local shopping centre.

"I shop there because it looks like you'd be less likely to end up a victim of violent crime," she said.

A selfie of a woman in a yellow shirt.

Ipswich resident Karen Marshall says she was shocked to hear what happened at her local shopping centre. (Supplied)

Griffith University's Professor Rebecca Wickes said consumers shouldn't be scared to go to the shops.

"This is a tragic event, and I don't believe that it's in any way indicative of a spike in attacks at shopping centres," she said.

"We live in a pretty safe country, and it's quite safe to go shopping." 

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