New police wanding powers tackling knife crime | Australian Markets

The Minns Labor Government’s crackdown on knife crime has seen more than 90 harmful weapons seized from our streets for the reason that NSW Police Force (NSWPF) started wanding operations in December.

The power has carried out 34 wanding operations throughout metro and regional NSW, scanning 4,147 people, seizing 91 illegal weapons and charging 67 people with 71 weapons offences.

Weapons seized embrace knives, tasers, sling photographs, knuckle dusters, machetes and folding kitchen knives.

Under Operation Ares, officers are conducting high-visibility policing operations and utilizing handheld scanners or digital steel detecting ‘wands’ to scan people within a designated space for harmful weapons.

Locations of the operations embrace 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 motion to offer police additional sources to create a safer NSW and ship the clear message that knife crime is not going to be tolerated.

Under the powers, modelled on Queensland’s Jack’s Law, police can stop and scan people with out a warrant at designated areas.

When switched on by NSW Police, the powers can be utilized in public areas together with public transport stations, procuring precincts, and sure sporting venues.

These police powers complement different measures launched by this Government to deal with knife crime, together with:

•Doubling the penalty for promoting a knife to a baby below 16 to $11,000 and introducing a custodial sentence of up to 12 months for the offence; and
•Creating a new offence for promoting knives to kids aged 16 or 17 with out a cheap excuse.

The NSW Government stays dedicated to decreasing knife crime and building a safer NSW by continued legislative and operational policing efforts.

Premier of NSW, Chris Minns stated:

“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 stated:

“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 stated:

“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.”

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