New laws to detect people carrying knives

New laws about the possession of knives came into effect in NSW on Monday, December 9.

Police will now be able to use handheld scanners, electronic metal-detecting wands, to stop and scan individuals without a warrant in designated areas.

The new “wanding” laws are modelled on Queensland’s Jack’s Law aimed at reducing knife crime and to boost community safety.

Wanding powers can be applied in areas where there has been at least one offence related to knife crime or knife possession.

Also, police can apply wanding powers in designated areas including: bus, train and tram stations and surrounds; public transport vehicles within two scheduled stops of a designated public transport station; shopping precincts;  at certain sporting venues and other public places; and at special events and places.

These reforms further address knife-related crime by doubling the maximum penalties for various knife-related offences such as: an $11,000 fine for selling a knife to a child under 16 and introducing a custodial sentence of up to 12 months; a new offence prohibiting the sale of a knife to a child aged 16 or 17 without a reasonable excuse (except for legitimate purposes such as work or study); and support for high-impact police operations targeting knife crime and anti-social behaviour.

In the latest phase of Operation Foil in April police seized 51 knives and weapons and charged 145 individuals with weapon-related offences.

Over the past year, almost 4,000 knives have been confiscated in public places.