Statewide wanding blitz spreads vital awareness of Jack’s Law

Over four hundred and fifty people were wanded in Safe Night Precincts (SNPs) across the state this weekend as police enacted Jack’s Law, a nation-leading strategy to detect weapons and combat knife crime across Queensland.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler said Jack’s Law had already and would continue to save lives.

“By scanning for, detecting and removing these weapons police are stopping the lethal and often unintended consequences carrying them brings,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Wheeler said.

“Our high visibility presence, both in targeted and covert operations will continue across Queensland to protect and enhance community safety. Scans are quick, averaging a minute or two and require no physical contact by our police.

“Too many times we have seen the devastation which can result from possessing a knife including lifelong trauma for the victims, their families, and the community which is our motivation to continue.’

Acting Deputy Commissioner Wheeler paid tribute to Brett and Belinda Beasley for their powerful advocacy in reforming knife crime across the state following the tragic stabbing death of their 17-year-old son Jack on the Gold Coast in 2019.

“Despite their grief in the face of their senseless loss, Brett and Belinda have been unwavering in their voice for change ensuring the legacy of their son lives on.

“As a father and a police officer, my heart goes out to them, and I thank them for their invaluable efforts both in running the Jack Beasley Foundation and its important education initiatives and in seeing Jack’s Law become legislation.”

Passed in Queensland parliament last month, the new legislation allows officers to conduct wand operations in all SNPs and on public trains, trams, buses and ferries and at public transport hubs, helping stop knife crime in its tracks.