Ipswich police have conducted a surge operation across the CBD, co-ordinating three strategic activities targeting knife crime.
On October 2, across the Safe Night Precinct, train station and local shopping centre, Ipswich police conducted high-visibility patrols and wanding operations under Jack's Law.
Police scanned 71 people during the operation, with 10 people charged on 14 offences.
Including a 20-year-old man allegedly located with seven knives and drug utensils during wanding at an Ipswich train station.
The man claimed the knives were for the purpose of a former career as a chef, however the knives located did not match this description.
He was charged with possessing a knife in a public place and will appear before Ipswich Magistrates Court on October 30.
Across Ipswich since Jack's Law commenced statewide in April 2023, there have been 135 wanding operations and 57 weapons seized.
Acting Inspector Lee Fortune said that Ipswich police are committed to utilising the expansion of Jack's Law to help protect the local community.
"This operation saw our first wanding operation in a shopping centre, and the feedback we received from locals was overwhelmingly positive," Acting Inspector Fortune said.
"The location of seven knives along with 10 arrests indicates just how impactful these proactive efforts can be in seizing weapons and disrupting potentially violent offences before they occur.
"We'd like to thank the community and local businesses for their ongoing support and look forward to continuing these efforts to create safer public spaces for Ipswich."
