In a major effort to curb rising knife-related violence, Queensland authorities have seized a cache of dangerous weapons, including a machete, several knives, and a knuckleduster, during a targeted crackdown operation.
The coordinated police action is part of an ongoing state-wide campaign to remove illegal and prohibited weapons from the streets and ensure public safety. Officers conducted a series of searches and patrols in key areas known for weapon-related incidents, leading to multiple discoveries and arrests.
Authorities say the crackdown sends a strong message that carrying or concealing such weapons will not be tolerated. As community concerns grow over knife crime, law enforcement agencies are ramping up their visibility and zero-tolerance approach to anyone found with unlawful items.
Read More: Weapons Including Machete and Knuckleduster Seized in Queensland Knife Crackdown
Weapons Seized and 15 Charged in Queensland Knife Crackdown
Eight Weapons Found in Weekend Wanding Blitz Across Transport Hubs and Nightlife Precincts
Queensland Police have seized eight concealed weapons—including a machete, several knives, and a knuckleduster—and charged 15 individuals following an extensive wanding operation conducted over the weekend. The enforcement action targeted public transport stations and night-time entertainment districts across the state, aiming to curb knife-related violence.
530 People Scanned Under Jack’s Law
Wanding Powers Used at 18 High-Risk Locations
Police conducted metal detection scans on 530 people using handheld devices—commonly known as “wands”—at 18 locations including railway stations, bus stops, and Safe Night Precincts. The scans led to the confiscation of eight weapons: box cutters, knives, a machete, and a knuckleduster.
The operation was carried out under the authority of Jack’s Law, legislation introduced in April that allows officers to conduct random weapon scans in designated public areas until 2025.
Remembering Jack Beasley
Legislation Named After 2019 Knife Crime Victim
Jack’s Law was enacted in memory of 17-year-old Jack Beasley, who was fatally stabbed on the Gold Coast in 2019. The legislation empowers police to intervene before violence occurs, with the goal of deterring individuals from carrying bladed or dangerous weapons in public spaces.
Statewide Effort Yields Alarming Results
High Detection Rates at Public Hotspots
Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler said police had been “relentless” since the legislation came into effect, with searches conducted across 10 Safe Night Precincts and 8 major transport hubs from the Gold Coast to Townsville.In one instance, officers scanned 18 people at Redbank Plains train station, uncovering four weapons—a startling detection rate of one in four.
15 People Charged with 26 Offences
Offenders Include Juveniles and Young Adults
As a result of the weekend blitz, 15 individuals were charged with a total of 26 offences. Offenders included juveniles under 17, as well as young adults in their late teens and early twenties. Police emphasized that there is no legal justification for carrying such weapons in public.
“If you’re carrying those weapons, I can only draw one conclusion as to what your intent was,” said Deputy Commissioner Wheeler. “There’s no reason to be carrying these weapons in public.”
“Self-Protection” Not a Legal Defence
A Self-Perpetuating Cycle Among Youth
Police reported that many of those caught with weapons claimed to carry them for self-defence, a rationale officials firmly rejected.“Carrying a weapon for self-defence is not an excuse at law,” Wheeler explained.
“What you see is a self-perpetuating problem—young people arming themselves out of fear that others are armed too.”This trend, police say, fuels a dangerous cycle of violence that initiatives like Jack’s Law aim to disrupt.
Government Backs the Trial, Opposition Calls for Permanence
Jack’s Law Set to Expire in 2025—For Now
The current powers under Jack’s Law are temporary, set to expire in 2025, as they remain under trial legislation. Despite its success, Police Minister Mark Ryan noted that making the laws permanent will require further evaluation.“It’s obviously the government’s intention that we want these laws to be around,” Ryan said.
“But they are extraordinary laws, and we do have to get them perfect before we make them permanent.”Meanwhile, the opposition continues to push for the laws to become a permanent fixture in Queensland’s legislative framework.
A Growing Commitment to Public Safety
Crackdown Covers Brisbane, Gold Coast, Townsville, and More
The wanding blitz took place across multiple Queensland cities including Brisbane, Ipswich, Townsville, Sunshine Coast, Logan, Toowoomba, Airlie Beach, and Capricornia. The widespread operation is part of an escalating effort to remove weapons from high-traffic public spaces and protect citizens from knife crime.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Jack’s Law?
Jack’s Law is legislation introduced in Queensland in 2023, allowing police officers to use handheld metal detectors (or “wands”) to scan individuals for concealed weapons in designated public areas. The law was named in memory of Jack Beasley, a teenager fatally stabbed in 2019.
Is wanding random or targeted?
Wanding is random but discretionary—police are not required to have reasonable suspicion. However, officers are trained to exercise judgement and professionalism when selecting individuals for scanning.
Can someone carry a weapon for self-defence?
No. Queensland law does not permit carrying a weapon for self-defence. Police stress that this is not a valid legal excuse, and anyone found with a weapon may face criminal charges.
Who has been charged under Jack’s Law?
Those charged range from juveniles (under 18) to young adults in their 20s. The offences include possession of prohibited weapons and related criminal acts.
How long will Jack’s Law be in effect?
As of now, Jack’s Law is a trial initiative scheduled to remain in effect until 2025. The government is reviewing its impact before deciding whether to make the law permanent.
Conclusion
Queensland’s intensified crackdown on concealed weapons through the use of handheld scanners under Jack’s Law marks a decisive move in tackling rising knife-related violence. With eight weapons seized and 15 individuals charged in just one weekend, the results speak volumes about the law’s immediate impact.
