Shocking knives haul at Coast shopping centres
Police on the Gold Coast have discovered a disturbing haul of knives on day one using expanded powers under Jack’s Law.
Officers seized five weapons and charged 17 people with 27 offences during wanding operations under the law in locations including eight major shopping centres on Thursday.
Over the course of the operations 274 people were subject to metal detection scans, including 161 adults and 113 young people.
Among the people charged was a Southport man, 38, allegedly found with two box-cutters and a quantity of cannabis in his bag. He was charged with possessing a knife in a public place and possessing dangerous drugs.
At approximately 8pm police allegedly found two knives in the possession of a 33-year-old Brisbane woman the stopped and wanded at Pacific Fair in Broadbeach.she was charged with two counts of possession of a knife in a public place.
A knife was also allegedly found in the possession of a 41year-old Nerang man when he was stopped and wanded at Broadbeach South tram stop at 4pm.
He was charged with possession of a knife in public place and is expected to appear before
Southport Magistrates Court on October 10.
The expansion of Jack’s Law - named after 17-year-old Surfers Paradise stabbing victim Jack Beasley - allows police to wand people in shopping centres after it came into effect on August 30.
Gold Coast District Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon said results of the police operation on Thursday were an indication of the impact the expansion of the law will have in enhancing community safety.
“The seizure of five weapons in just a matter of hours shows how crucial Jack’s Law is in helping police reduce knife violence in our community,” Chief Supt Hanlon said.
“The response across our first day of wanding operations in shopping centres was overwhelmingly positive, and we’d like to thank the community and centres for their co-operation and support.
“Together we can take dangerous weapons off our streets and create safer public spaces for Gold Coasters and visitors to enjoy.”