Almost 200,000 people have been scanned for weapons across Queensland under Jack’s Law, as Logan police continue using the powers at local transport hubs and public places.
Queensland Police said 1439 knives and other edged weapons had been seized since the laws were expanded statewide in July last year, with nearly 3000 people charged.
Earlier government figures showed 5537 people had been wanded in Logan during the first six months of the expanded laws, resulting in 30 weapons being seized.
Local operations have continued since then, including two Springwood busway deployments in June in which more than 100 people were screened.
Three people were charged with nine offences during the second operation, although police did not report finding knives.
Deputy Commissioner Mark Kelly said each scan was also an opportunity for officers to engage with people in public spaces.
“Each of these 200,000 wanding scans is an opportunity for police officers not only to engage with members of our community but to reinforce the law,” he said.
“There is never a need to carry a knife or weapon in Queensland.”
Deputy Commissioner Kelly said the aim was to disrupt knife crime before violence occurred.
“Wanding is one of many proactive, high-visibility approaches police use to engage with and educate the community, and enforce the law to keep people safe,” he said.
He also thanked the family of Jack Beasley, the 17-year-old killed in a stabbing at Surfers Paradise in 2019, for their advocacy behind the laws.
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