New state laws allowing police officers to detect people carrying knives in public have come into effect and are already making a difference in combatting knife crime in Bundaberg.
Following the stabbing death of 17-year-old Jack Beasley in 2019, legislation was introduced in 2021 for police to trial the use of hand-held metal detectors to detect knives in SNPs on the Gold Coast.
Under Jack’s Law, brought into effect earlier this year, officers can now conduct stop and wand operations in all Safe Night Precincts (SNPs) and at railway stations across the state.
Over the weekend, 26 people were screened in the Bundaberg Safe Night Precinct, resulting in three knives being detected.
A 27-year-old Bundaberg South man and a 20-year-old Bundaberg West man were issued with notices to appear in relation to possessing a knife in a public place.
They are both set to appear in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court on June 30.
A 16-year-old Bundaberg South boy was also intercepted with a knife and will be dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.
A 38-year-old Avoca man was charged in relation to possessing dangerous drugs, possession of drug utensils and possessing property suspected to be used in relation to a drug offence.
He is set to appear in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court on June 30.
Senior Sergeant Matthew Swan said that over the weekend a knife was allegedly located on a person who was attempting to enter a licenced premises.
“These new powers afforded to police under Jack’s Law provides our police with yet another opportunity to improve community safety within our SNP,” said Senior Sergeant Swan.
