Police have been undertaking patrols and Jack’s Law weapon scans with metal detectors in public areas across the Far North. Photo: Rafael Ben-Ari.
Police have revealed 101 weapons were seized when 8902 people were searched without a warrant during Jack’s Law patrols across the Far North district since mid-July last year.
That means 1.13 per cent of the public scanned with handheld metal detectors were found to be carrying a weapon, or just more than one in every 100 people.
Jack’s Law was introduced by the previous Queensland Labor government following the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Jack Beasley outside an IGA supermarket while he was enjoying a night out with friends on the Gold Coast in December 2019.
First trialled in 2023, Jack’s Law allows police to use the metal detectors for searches in locations deemed high-risk without a warrant, including safe night precincts, transport hubs, shopping centres and sporting and entertainment venues.
Jack’s parents Brett and Belinda Beasley pushed hard for tougher knife laws state-wide after their son’s death.
Far North police said in a statement on Thursday (16 April) that the weapons were found during searches undertaken since 18 July last year and the proactive Jack’s Law work would continue to “disrupt and prevent knife crime”.
Scans “are quick, averaging a minute or two and require no physical contact by police”.
“By scanning for, detecting and removing dangerous weapons from public places, police aim to reduce the harm these weapons cause in the community, while educating the public on the risks of unlawfully carrying a weapon,” the statement reads.
Far North police carry out a scan under Jack’s Law. Photo: Queensland Police.
Acting Chief Superintendent Paul Hart said local officers would continue to take proactive measures to make sure the community was not harmed by dangerous weapons. He specifically pointed to operations in Cairns CBD.
“We know how important the Cairns CBD is to business owners, locals and tourists who want to enjoy the great restaurants, shops and nightlife it has to offer,” he said.
“Jack’s Law isn’t about invading your privacy on a night out, it’s about making sure dangerous weapons don’t cause lifelong trauma for victims, their families and the wider community.
A knife allegedly found by Far North police during a Jack’s Law search. Photo: Queensland Police.
“Everyone deserves to enjoy our public spaces safely and without fear.”
Police warned anyone caught carrying a knife or other item considered a weapon in public risked a large fine or even jail time.
In Queensland, items like knives can only be carried for “reasonable” and lawful uses including employment, duty, sport or recreation. Self-defence is not a valid reason.
Police offered an example and said a 16-year-old Cairns North boy was charged with one count of possession of a knife in public after he was allegedly found with a blade on Lake St in late November.
Another example was that of a 23-year-old Palm Cove man allegedly found with knuckle-dusters on the same street on 21 March.
Original Article published by Luke Mortimer on Region Tropical North Queensland.
