A tough new crackdown on knife crime has been declared in New South Wales, with police given new powers to scan people for weapons in public places without a warrant, following a recent spate of incidents of stabbing.
It will also now be illegal for anyone under 18 to buy a knife and there will be heavy penalties for any retailer who does so, under new plans to be announced by the state government on Tuesday.
The current age limit is 16 years, which will be increased by two years.
Premier Chris Minns said the new legislation is modeled after Queensland’s Jack’s Law, which came into force after the tragic stabbing death of teenager Jack Beasley in 2019.
It allows Queensland police officers to use a metal detector wand in operations in inner-city locations, at public transport hubs and on public transport.
A similar plan will be implemented for New South Wales, giving police powers to “search” or “scan” people for knives without a warrant in designated areas, including transport hubs, shopping centers and other locations. crowded.
The new measures come in the wake of several high-profile stabbing events, including the knife attack at Westfield Bondi Junction (pictured).
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and Police and Counterterrorism Minister Yasmin Catley (R) will announce more details on Tuesday.
The new measures come after several high-profile stabbings, including the fatal Knife rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction and the alleged act of terrorism in which Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel lost an eye after being stabbed repeatedly.
“In recent weeks and months, we have all witnessed the devastating results of knife-related violence,” said Premier Minns.
“I know many in our community have followed the devastating media coverage and heard the stories of the victims and their families; tragically, there have been many recent examples.”
“Our communities are still grieving, but it is essential that we step up and take immediate action to send a clear message that New South Wales simply will not accept these types of crimes.”
“Today we are announcing reform that includes legislation based on new powers for police to search and detect knives in public spaces, based on Queensland’s Jack Law, and a common sense increase in the age limit for purchasing knives from 16 to 18. years to make it more difficult for children to have access to these deadly weapons.
Police and Counterterrorism Minister Yasmin Catley said the new measures “send a strong warning to potential perpetrators.”
“These reforms will give police better tools to quickly detect hidden knives and take action before a potential perpetrator has the opportunity to use them,” he said.
“These reforms will give police better tools to quickly detect hidden knives and take action before a potential perpetrator has the opportunity to use them.”
NSW Police will be given new powers to scan people for weapons in public places. Pictured is a recent police operation against knife crime.
Jack Beasley died after suffering fatal stab wounds when he was attacked by a group in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast.
Since then, his parents, Brett and Belinda Beasley, founded the Jack Beasley Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises awareness of youth and knife crime and campaigns for changes around youth justice and police powers to combat knife crimes.
Queensland passed Jack’s Law in 2023, allowing police to use metal detectors to identify and seize weapons on busy roads.
Thousands of people were charged and officers confiscated more than 241 weapons, including knives, machetes and knuckles, during a trial in May 2021 and November 2022.
‘No parent should have to go through what the Beasleys and many other families have gone through. No life should be cut short by violent crime,” added Ms Catley.
‘We will see how these strategies work in the New South Wales context. Strategies that we know are making a difference in Queensland.”
‘These reforms are aimed at keeping people safe. “I want the community to have confidence that this Government is committed to providing the New South Wales Police Force with all the tools necessary to combat violent crime.”
Brett Beasley (left, pictured with son Jack) and his wife Belinda were instrumental in working with the New South Wales government on reforms.
The announcement follows the NSW Police’s recent high-visibility ‘Operation Foil’ initiative, which was designed to crack down on knife crime.
In the latest deployment, which took place last month and involved more than 800 officers across New South Wales, 51 knives were seized and resulted in 145 people being charged with weapons offences, including the seizure of a firearm. fire.
In the last year alone, almost 4,000 knives were seized in public places.