NSW Police have been given permanent powers to scan people for knives in public places, after new laws passed State Parliament making a knife scanning trial permanent.
The trial was introduced by the State Government in 2024 and modelled on Queensland’s Jack’s Law. The new legislation follows the trial, a statutory review and a recommendation from the Bondi Junction Coronial Inquest to consider making the laws permanent.
Under the laws, police can declare certain public areas as designated areas where they can stop and scan people with handheld metal detectors. The powers are in addition to existing police search powers, which can be used anywhere, anytime, when police have reasonable grounds to do so.
The reforms expand the areas where scanning can occur to include major entertainment venues and associated areas, in addition to shopping centres, public transport stations and sporting venues. Further areas can be declared by regulation on the advice of NSW Police. The laws also lower the threshold of who can approve operations and allow police to declare an area for up to 24 hours, instead of 12.
The State Government says the changes ensure scanning can occur where there are real risks to public safety without an unwarranted intrusion on law-abiding citizens. More than 15,000 knives have been seized from public places since April 2023. The legislation builds on earlier reforms, including doubling maximum penalties for knife crime and increasing penalties for selling knives to children.
Police have already used knife scanning wands in the Hunter, including at locations in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, East Maitland, Muswellbrook, Singleton and Cessnock.
