Anyone at local shopping centres, licensed premises, sporting venues, entertainment venues and high-crime retail outlets can now be scanned at any time by police metal detectors.
Previously, police were only authorised to “wand” people at Safe Night Precincts, at public transit hubs and on public transport.
Over a nine-month period last year, 63 weapons were detected through wanding in Logan, ranging from butcher’s knives to tomahawks to knuckle dusters.
Since March last year, more than 72,000 people have been ‘wanded’ during operations across the state, with 1950 people charged with more than 3500 offences.
New laws also mean retailers will now be liable for the unlawful sale of knives to minors.
Retailers are also required to display clear signage regarding age restricted items, and to securely store particular controlled items such as double-edged knives, machetes, tomahawks and axes.
Retailers who break the new laws and sell a knife or controlled item to a minor risk up to 420 penalty units, or a fine of up to $67,746.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Kelly said QPS was pleased to have more tools to help tackle the issues of knife and youth crime.
“Jack’s Law has been nation-leading in helping take weapons off our streets and limit the immense harm they can cause in our communities,” he said.
“For it to expand to more highly-populated public areas, means greater ability for police to proactively disrupt crime and protect the public.
“Everyone deserves to enjoy our public spaces safely and without fear.
“For Jack’s Law to be reinforced with these new laws restricting the sale of knives to minors, will help reduce the number of these weapons getting into the hands of young people to begin with.”
