Police saturated North Brisbane in a major wanding operation under Jack’s Law on September 19, seizing a pocketknife and wanding 120 people.
The operation targeted highly populated locations in the inner city along with train stations and shopping centres across the district.
A 16-year-old New South Wales girl was charged with one count of possession of a dangerous article.
It will be alleged she was in possession of a pocketknife when stopped for wanding at a shopping precinct in Brisbane City.
She is expected to appear before Brisbane Children’s Court on October 25.
This operation brings the total results of wanding activity in North Brisbane this year to 53 weapons seized and over 6,500 people wanded.
The weapons seized range from kitchen and butcher’s knives, knuckle busters, pocketknives and more.
During the operation, 10 people were charged for an array of offences including drug related offences, breach of bail / bail act offences, stealing offences, and possession of tainted/suspected stolen property.
Police also engaged with more than 120 community members, raising awareness of the recent expansion of Jack’s Law, engaging with a further 60 members of the public at a Coffee with a Cop community event, and provided crime prevention advice to store owners.
The wide-scale operation was in addition to regular wanding activities across Brisbane which have resulted in the seizure of over 180 weapons since April 2023.
Operation Field Commander, Sergeant Kayne Nund says every unlawful weapon seized helps make Brisbane’s public spaces safer for the community to enjoy.
“We welcome the expansion of Jack’s Law to include shopping centres, licensed premises, sporting venues, entertainment venues, and high-risk retail outlets,” he said.
“Our first priority is the safety of the community, we don’t want to risk weapons being brought into highly populated areas.”
Sergeant Nund says it is important to remember why Jack’s law was introduced.
“We were grateful to have had the Beasley family come to Fortitude Valley’s station day on September 18 to share their story and the importance of Jack’s law.
“We are committed to continuing to implement Jack’s Law and these wanding activities, to prevent the devastation which can result from someone possessing a knife.”
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.