Police target public transport in knife crime crackdown

Queensland Police are targeting public transport hubs as part of a major crackdown on knife crime following the introduction of Jack’s Law.

Under Jack’s Law recently passed in parliament, officers are able to conduct wanding operations in all Safe Night Precincts (SNPs) and on public transport and at public transport hubs.

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.

Jack’s Law has expanded the designated areas where officers can conduct scanning activity for weapons to all SNPs across Queensland, on public trains, trams, buses and ferries and at public transport hubs as part of pre-authorised operations.

Operations have been underway in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Townsville, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, Logan, Toowoomba, Airlie Beach and Capricornia this weekend.

In a two-day operation at Ipswich train stations this week resulted in:

35 people being wanded

3 knives were located

1 machete and 1 knuckleduster seized

Quotes attributable to the Minister:

“Already lives have been saved in the Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach Safe Night Precincts by the trial, and more lives will be saved by these powers.

“I have no doubt these powers will reduce violence across all Safe Night Precincts (SNPs), on public transport and at public transport hubs.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to keeping Queenslanders safe.”

Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler:

Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler said the laws were designed to reduce knife crime and create safer public spaces.

“We know Jack’s Law will make our communities safer and help us reduce knife-related crime, particularly in public transport hubs,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Wheeler said.

“Anyone who brings a weapon of any description onto public transport should expect to be approached by police.

“While we expect to detect people carrying weapons and remove them from harm’s way, we also want to deter people from carrying knives and other weapons in the first place.

“We have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the trial on the Gold Coast and we look forward to rolling out these measures across the state in all Safe Night Precincts and on public transport vehicles and at public transport hubs.”

Acting Deputy Commissioner Wheeler said officers were undergoing specific training to ensure the new powers were used appropriately.

“The use of a hand-held scanner does not make any contact with the person and only takes a minute or two if nothing is located,” he said.

“There is no excuse to be carrying a knife or weapon in public and unfortunately we have seen the horrific consequences of knife crime in our state.”

Explainer/fast facts and or further information:

Between July 2021 and June 2022, there were more than 3,200 offences involving someone being in possession of a knife in a public place or school throughout Queensland.

During the same period, 11 people died in assaults involving a knife.

In 2022, a 24-year-old man was allegedly stabbed with a knife in close proximity to the Fortitude Valley Railway Station.

If caught carrying a knife in a public place, you risk a $5,750 fine and/or one year in prison.

Jack’s Law

Wanding powers will be expanded to include transport hubs and infrastructure.

And along with Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise, wanding will be extended to Safe Night Precincts in:

• Airlie Beach
• Brisbane
• Bundaberg
• Cairns
• Fortitude Valley
• Gladstone
• Inner West Brisbane
• Ipswich
• Mackay
• Rockhampton
• Sunshine Coast
• Toowoomba
• Townsville

ENDS

Media contacts 

Minister Ryan’s Office: Ph: (07) 3035 8300

Police Media: Ph: (07) 3015 2444