Two initiatives are set to bolster the fight against knife crime.
Retailers will now be liable for the unlawful sale of knives to minors, as new laws come into effect as of September 1.
It comes as an expansion to Jack's Law commences, authorising metal detection wanding operations in new locations, after the Governor gave assent to the legislation change on Friday August 30.
The new retail laws have banned the sale of knives to anyone under 18 and also require clear signage to be displayed regarding age restricted items.
The laws also require retailers to securely store particular controlled items such as double-edged knives, machetes, tomahawks and axes.
Retailers who break the new laws and sell a knife or controlled item to a minor risk up to 420 penalty units, or a fine of up to $67,746.
In a joint effort, the QPS has partnered with National Retail Association (NRA) to visit more than 1,300 retailers across Queensland since April, to provide support ahead of the laws coming into effect.
QPS and NRA have developed resources to help businesses understand the new laws and transition smoothly including advice, fact sheets and signage along with free online training sessions and a phone hotline.
The new laws signify a major step towards helping reduce weapon accessibility among young people and advancing the fight against knife crime.
While QPS has been preparing for the expansion of Jack's Law.
Since Jack's Law passed state-wide in March 2023, 689 weapons have been seized during more than 7,000 operations across the state.
Jack's Law was introduced in response to the tragic stabbing death of Jack Beasley in 2019, allowing police to conduct metal detection wanding operations in Safe Night Precincts on public transport and at public transport hubs.
Authorised wanding locations will expand to include shopping centres, sporting precincts, licensed premises, entertainment venues and high-risk retail outlets where there have been prior offences.
Metal detection scans are quick, averaging a minute or two and require no physical contact.
More than 72,000 people have been 'wanded' during operations, with 1,950 people charged with more than 3,500 offences.
The weapons seized range from kitchen and butcher's knives, tomahawks, hammers, hunting knives, knuckle dusters, screwdrivers and more.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Kelly said QPS is pleased to have more tools to help tackle the issues of knife and youth crime.
"Jack's Law has been nation-leading in helping take weapons off our streets and limit the immense harm they can cause in our communities.
"For it to expand to more highly-populated public areas, means greater ability for police to proactively disrupt crime and protect the public.
"Everyone deserves to enjoy our public spaces safely and without fear.
"For Jack's Law to be reinforced with these new laws restricting the sale of knives to minors, will help reduce the number of these weapons getting into the hands of young people to begin with.
"Police are committed to enforcing and utilising both initiatives to help disrupt and prevent crime and keep Queensland communities safe."
Further information:
Jack's Law expansion:
- The expansion will allow wanding operations in areas such as:
- Shopping centres
- Licensed premises
- Sporting venues
- Entertainment venues
- High-risk retail outlets (where there have been prior offences)
Knife sale laws:
Under the new laws:
- It will become an offence to sell knives and other controlled items to juveniles.
- It will become an offence to use false identification to purchase these items.
- It will become an offence to advertise these items as 'suitable for combat'.
- Retailers will be required to securely store particular controlled items prior to sale.
- Retailers will be required to display signage regarding age restriction for sales.
- Find out more at https://www.police.qld.gov.au/initiatives/end-knife-violence
- Toll-free hotline for retailers: 1800 571 146
- Businesses can register for an online session here: https://bit.ly/qldknifelaws
- Businesses can contact the National Retail team by emailing [email protected]
