A 51-year-old Woodridge man was allegedly caught carrying a large kitchen knife at a Gold Coast tram stop in February.
He was one of thousands searched by police under Jack’s Law, which has seen more than 500 weapons seized in the last year.
The Woodridge man was stopped at a Broadbeach tram stop at 6.45pm on 8 February, police said, and during a search police found a “large kitchen knife”.
Throughout the past year more than 51,000 people were scanned in Queensland using handheld metal detectors, which resulted in police apprehending 1369 people on 2469 charges.
Seized weapons have included butcher’s knives, tomahawks, hammers, hunting knives, knuckle dusters, and screwdrivers.
Jack’s Law was introduced in response to the tragic stabbing death of 17-year-old Jack Beasley in 2019.
It allows police officers to use a metal detecting wand in operations in all Safe Night Precincts, at public transit hubs and on public transport.
Scans average one to two minutes and require no physical contact by police.
Youth Crime Taskforce Acting Assistant Commissioner Andrew Massingham said Jack’s Law had been instrumental in tackling knife crime.
“I want to commend Brett and Belinda Beasley, from the Jack Beasley Foundation, for their tireless advocacy and support around the extension of wanding powers to assist the QPS with detecting weapons and combatting violence,” he said.
“We are committed to keeping dangerous items out of the hands of young criminals and reducing the devastation which can result from possessing a knife, including lifelong trauma for the victims, their families, and the community.”
The below video features six arrests:
0:00-0.49: A 27-year-old Southport man charged with unlawfully possessing a weapon, after he was allegedly located with a flick-knife during wanding operations at Broadbeach Safe Night Precinct at about 9.45pm on March 22. He is expected to appear before Southport Magistrates Court on April 23.
00:49-1:20: A 51-year-old Woodridge man charged with possession of a knife in a public place, after he was allegedly located with a large kitchen knife during wanding operations at a Broadbeach tram stop at about 6.45pm on February 8. He was expected to appear before Southport Magistrates Court on February 27.
1:21-1:58: A 27-year-old Pimpama man charged with possession of a knife in a public place after he was allegedly located with a folding-knife during wanding operations in Surfers Paradise Safe Night Precinct at approximately 9.30pm on March 9. He is next expected to appear before Southport Magistrates Court on April 23.
1:59-3.22: A 28-year-old Albion man charged with possession of a knife in a public place after he was allegedly located with a knife during wanding operations at a Narangba train station at approximately 5.45pm on March 22. He is expected to appear before Caboolture Magistrates Court on April 12.
3.23-3:54: A 52-year-old Townsville City man charged with possession of a knife in a public place after he was allegedly located with a knife during wanding operations at a Townsville City bus stop at approximately 4.15pm on March 1. He is expected to appear before Townsville Magistrates Court on March 19.
3:55-4:23: A 16-year-old Lutwyche boy charged with possessing a knife in a public place after he was allegedly located with a knife during wanding operations at a Chermside bus station at approximately 9.45am on February 29. He was expected to appear before Brisbane Children’s Court.
