Police have scanned 82,648 people, seized 603 weapons, made 1,280 arrests and laid 2,424 charges across Queensland in the six months since Jack’s Law was expanded and made permanent.
New data shows a sharp increase in the use of wanding powers compared with the same six-month period a year prior where police scanned 28,336 people and removed 255 weapons, when the laws were restricted and temporary.
Across Queensland including Noosa police have scanned thousands of people and seizing weapons.
Figures show in the six month period in Wide Bay Burnett 826 people were scanned and 14 weapons seized and on the Sunshine Coast 3,206 people were scanned and 3 weapons seized.
By expanding Jack’s Law, police can now use hand-held metal detectors in all public places, rather than a limited list of prescribed locations, dramatically increasing their ability to detect weapons and intervene early.
A state government spokesperson said the release of figures follows a $1 million investment by the government to secure the future of the Jack Beasley Foundation’s ‘One Moment’ program, ensuring thousands of Queensland students continue to hear Jack’s story and understand the consequences of knife crime.
Jack’s Law is named in honour of 17-year-old Jack Beasley, who was fatally stabbed at Surfers Paradise in 2019.
His parents Brett and Belinda Beasley have since campaigned tirelessly to prevent other families experiencing the same tragedy.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the results showed the laws were working.
“In just six months, Queensland police have scanned 82,648 people and taken 603 weapons off our streets – that’s real prevention, not rhetoric, which Queenslanders saw during Labor’s decade of decline,” Minister Purdie said.
“Labor wanted Jack’s Law to lapse, but we made it permanent and gave police the powers they’ve been asking for, and now, other jurisdictions are following us.
“Every weapon seized is a potential life saved, and that’s how we honour Jack Beasley’s legacy.”
Brett Beasley said the results reinforced the importance of the law.
“Every knife removed from the street is a potential tragedy prevented,” Mr Beasley said.
“We’ll never know whose life was protected, but we do know these laws are stopping violence before it happens.”
Belinda Beasley said Jack’s legacy would endure.
“Jack’s Law is about protecting young people and giving families peace of mind,” Mrs Beasley said.
“We’re grateful to police who use these powers every day, and to the Crisafulli Government for listening, acting and making this law permanent.”
Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski commended frontline police for their extensive work in leveraging Jack’s Law to tackle knife crime.
“Every knife taken off the street makes our community safer, and these results reflect the tireless work of our police,” Commissioner Gollschewski said.
“Having expanded powers has enhanced our frontline police’s ability to better prevent, detect and disrupt crime, and keep Queensland safe.”
