The Minns Labor Government's crackdown on knife crime has seen more than 90 dangerous weapons seized from our streets since the NSW Police Force began wanding operations in December.
The force has conducted 34 wanding operations across metro and regional NSW, scanning 4,147 individuals, seizing 91 unlawful weapons and charging 67 people with 71 weapons offences.
Weapons seized include knives, tasers, sling shots, knuckle dusters, machetes and folding kitchen knives.
Under Operation Ares, officers are conducting high-visibility policing operations and using handheld scanners or electronic metal detecting 'wands' to scan individuals within a designated area for dangerous weapons.
Locations of the operations include Sydney CBD, Liverpool, Campbelltown, Blacktown, Mt Druitt, Parramatta, Newcastle, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Wollongong, Wagga Wagga, Nowra, Bomaderry, Albury and Lavington.
The Minns Labor Government has taken decisive action to give police further resources to create a safer NSW and send the clear message that knife crime will not be tolerated.
Under the powers, modelled on Queensland's Jack's Law, police can stop and scan individuals without a warrant at designated areas.
When switched on by NSW Police, the powers can be used in public spaces including public transport stations, shopping precincts, and certain sporting venues.
These police powers complement other measures introduced by this Government to address knife crime, including:
- Doubling the penalty for selling a knife to a child under 16 to $11,000 and introducing a custodial sentence of up to 12 months for the offence; and
- Creating a new offence for selling knives to children aged 16 or 17 without a reasonable excuse.
The NSW Government remains committed to reducing knife crime and building a safer NSW through continued legislative and operational policing efforts.
Premier of NSW, Chris Minns said:
"The number of weapons that have been seized already is shocking.
"To have taken almost 100 knives and other weapons off our streets is as horrifying as it is important.
"Our tough knife laws are working and getting weapons out of our community.
"The NSW Government and NSW Police are confronting knife crime and sending a strong message that it is not tolerated."
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley said:
"Everybody deserves to feel and be safe in public and it's clear that these new laws are making NSW a safer place.
"I want to thank the NSW Police who are working around the clock to seize dangerous weapons and keep our community safe from the devastating effects of knife crime.
"There are very few excuses to carry a knife in public - anyone thinking about leaving home with a dangerous weapon should think again. The NSW Police are cracking down hard and you will be caught."
NSW Police Force Public Transport and Public Safety Command Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty said:
"During the 34 operations we have not only seized dangerous knives and weapons, but we have arrested 67 people with offences and put them before the courts.
"There are only very few purposes for anyone to have a knife in their possession in public. In most circumstances, it is illegal and will only lead to tragedy and the death of innocent people.
"We want people to feel and be safe while they go about their daily lives at shopping centres or on public transport.
"Our high-visibility operations are designed to send a message to people and deter them from carrying knives and weapons."
