Queensland Police have scanned 82,648 people, seized 603 weapons, made 1,280 arrests and laid 2,424 charges across the state 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, when the laws were restricted and temporary.
Since the Queensland Government delivered permanent, statewide powers, police have conducted 54,312 additional scans and seized 348 more weapons.
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.”
The impact of Jack’s Law has been felt right across Queensland, with police scanning thousands of people and seizing weapons in every corner of the State:
- Far North Queensland: 6,522 people scanned, 61 weapons seized
- Townsville: 7,932 people scanned, 99 weapons seized
- Mount Isa: 1,217 people scanned, 10 weapons seized
- Mackay Whitsunday: 4,194 people scanned, 10 weapons seized
- Capricornia: 2,876 people scanned, 21 weapons seized
- South West: 1,445 people scanned, 0 weapons
- Wide Bay Burnett: 826 people scanned, 14 weapons seized
- Darling Downs: 4,134 people scanned, 25 weapons seized
- Ipswich: 3,295 people scanned, 42 weapons seized
- Sunshine Coast: 3,206 people scanned, 3 weapons seized
- Moreton: 4,352 people scanned, 21 weapons seized
- Logan: 5,537 people scanned, 30 weapons seized
- Gold Coast: 17,362 people scanned, 159 weapons seized
- North Brisbane: 12,193 people scanned, 68 weapons seized
- South Brisbane: 7,557 people scanned, 40 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.
Today’s milestone follows the Government’s $1 million investment 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.
“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.”
Mrs Beasley said Jack’s legacy would endure.
“Jack’s Law is about protecting young people and giving families peace of mind,” she 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.”
Commissioner of Police, Steve Gollschewski commended frontline officers 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.”
