WANDING is becoming more apparent throughout Ipswich after the introduction of Jack’s Law a year ago.
Day and night across the state, Queensland Police Service officers are conducting operations to remove dangerous weapons off our streets and protect communities from the significant harm they cause.
Jack’s Law was introduced in March 2023 following the tragic stabbing death of 17-year-old Jack Beasley on the Gold Coast in 2019.
The legislation allows police to use a handheld metal detection scanner, or “wand”, to search for weapons in Safe Night Precincts, on public transport and at public transport hubs.
Since Jack’s Law passed, more than 60,000 people have been scanned and more than 590 knives and other weapons have been seized during wanding operations across Queensland.
By scanning for, detecting, and removing dangerous weapons from public places, police aim to reduce the harm these weapons cause in the community, while at the same time educating the public on the risks of unlawfully carrying a weapon.
Recently, a wanding operation was completed at Redbank train station, with no weapons detected.
In the first six months from March 2023, 16,000 people were scanned, with 220 weapons located.
More than 500 people were charged (including cautions) on over 900 offences.
During that period, police located over 40 weapons in each of the North Brisbane, Gold Coast and Logan regions, with 34 in Ipswich.
“Weapons are being taken off our streets and the community is safer as a result of these laws and police operations,” Police Minister Mark Ryan said.
“Too many times we have seen the devastation which can result from possessing a knife.”
