Police were more likely to find a concealed weapon in Wide Bay, Townsville, Darling Downs, Ipswich, Far North Queensland and Capricornia, than in Logan, new statistics show.
Figures released by the State Government this week show police used new wanding powers to scan 127,595 Queenslanders since Jack’s Law was made permanent and extended to cover all of Queensland in July, taking 1032 weapons off Queensland streets.
Across Logan, 7223 people have been scanned and 57 weapons seized, representing a 0.78 per cent detection rate, just below the average detection rate of .81 per cent and less than half the highest detection rate of 2.06 in Wide Bay, which also had the fewest people scanned.
Jack’s Law allows police to use handheld metal detectors to scan for weapons in public areas without a warrant.
The law was named in honour of 17-year-old Jack Beasley, who was fatally stabbed during a night out with friends at Surfers Paradise in 2019.
Seizures across Logan include a knife carried by a teenager on a train at Kingston on 27 January (see police footage of the arrest at 1.04 – 1.43 QP2600174853).
And just this week, a Slacks Creek man, 43, was charged with unlawful possession of weapons, carrying a weapon in a public place while loaded, authority required to possess explosives, and obstructing police (see police footage of the arrest).
Across Queensland, 127,595 scans have been carried out, leading to 1947 arrests and 3773 charges.
Police Minister Dan Purdie said Jack’s Law was part of the State Government’s commitment to rebuilding the frontline and strengthening laws to make Queensland safer.
“1032 weapons off our streets means 1032 chances to prevent a tragedy,” Mr Purdie said.
“This is what happens when you back your frontline with the laws and resources they need to do their jobs.”
Assistant Police Commissioner Chris Hodgman said the milestone reflected a strong focus on prevention.
“With this now permanent legislation, it has given police across the state the important tools we need to lawfully search and seize weapons in public spaces to reduce harm and make our community safer,” Assistant Commissioner Hodgman said.
“This life-saving legislation is an immense credit to the Beasley family who have been tireless in their advocacy for Jack’s Law while working closely with the Queensland Police Service.
“There is no doubt this legislation is saving lives across Queensland.”
Since the 2024 election, the Queensland Government has bolstered frontline capability including:
- Growing the Queensland Police Service beyond 13,000 officers for the first time in history.
- Swearing in more than 1600 new officers, exceeding a key recruitment commitment in under 18 months.
- Strengthened laws alongside early intervention and rehabilitation, contributing to a 7.2 per cent drop in recorded victims of crime in 2025, compared to the previous year.
- Far North Queensland: 9,699 people scanned, 108 weapons seized, 1.11% detection rate
- Townsville: 11,037 people scanned, 145 weapons seized, 1.31% detection rate
- Mackay Whitsunday: 5,299 people scanned, 13 weapons seized, 0.25% detection rate
- Mount Isa: 2,078 people scanned, 15 weapons seized, 0.72% detection rate
- Capricornia: 3,981 people scanned, 36 weapons seized, 0.9% detection rate
- South West: 2,109 people scanned, 4 weapons seized, 0.19% detection rate
- Wide Bay Burnett: 973 people scanned, 20 weapons seized, 2.06% detection rate
- Darling Downs: 6,367 people scanned, 78 weapons seized, 1.23% detection rate
- Ipswich: 6,487 people scanned, 76 weapons seized, 1.17% detection rate
- Sunshine Coast: 4,558 people scanned, 22 weapons seized 0.48% detection rate
- Moreton: 7,154 people scanned, 51 weapons seized, 0.71% detection rate
- Logan: 7,223 people scanned, 57 weapons seized, 0.79% detection rate
- Gold Coast: 27,775 people scanned, 197 weapons seized, 0.71% detection rate
- North Brisbane: 19,040 people scanned, 132 weapons seized, 0.69% detection rate
- South Brisbane: 13,815 people scanned, 78 weapons seized, 0.56% detection rate
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