New measures to get knives off the street

The NSW Government announced yesterday a package of commonsense reforms to target possession of knives, particularly among young people, reduce knife crime and boost community safety.

8 May 2024

 

TO deal with the current knife problem, the Government will:

 

• Develop legislation modelled on Queensland’s Jack’s Law which will give Police powers to “wand” or “scan” people for knives without a warrant in designated areas, including transport hubs, shopping centres and other crowded places.

 

• These powers will be made available in circumstances where a relevant weapons offence/knife crime has occurred within the past six months;

 

• An authority can then be issued by Police, enabling them to “wand” or “scan” people; and

 

• The authority will last for 12 hours, with an option to extend as required.

 

• Make it illegal to sell knives to a child under the age of 18, with provisions for exemptions for retailers selling to young people who need a knife for their work or study.

 

• Increase penalties for people selling knives to young people under the age of 18.

 

The package of reforms will help address knife-related crime, get knives off streets and keep the community safer.

 

Premier Chris Minns said “In recent weeks and months, we have all borne witness to the devastating outcomes of knife related violence.

 

“I know that many in our community have followed the devastating media coverage and heard the stories of victims and families – tragically there have been so many recent examples.

 

“Our communities are still in mourning, but it’s essential that we step up to take immediate action to send a clear message that NSW will simply not accept these kinds of crimes.

 

“Yesterday we announced reform including legislation modelled on new powers for Police to search and detect knives in public spaces, based on Queensland’s Jack’s Law, and a commonsense increase to the age limit for purchasing knives from 16 to 18 to make it harder for children to get access to these deadly weapons.”

 

The new “wanding” laws will be based on Jack’s Law and adapted for the NSW context with details being finalised ahead of legislation to be introduced to Parliament.

 

Their aim will be to keep the community safe, targeting areas where there have been increasing issues related to knife crime or knife possession offences, which could be on public transport, nightlife, entertainment, or shopping precincts.

 

Minister for the Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said “This sends a strong signal that we are committed to tackling violent knife crime in our community.

 

“These reforms send a strong warning to would-be perpetrators.

 

“I want to thank Mr and Mrs Beasley and our colleagues in the Queensland Government for working with us to share their experiences and their knowledge in regard to Jack’s Law.

 

“No parent should go through what the Beasleys and many other families have gone through. No life should be cut short by violent crime.

 

“We’ll be looking at how these strategies work in a NSW context. Strategies that we know are making a difference in Queensland.

 

“These reforms will give police improved tools to quickly detect concealed knives and take action before a potential perpetrator has the chance to use them.

 

“These reforms are about keeping people safe. I want the community to have the confidence that this government is committed to giving the NSW Police Force all the tools required to combat violent crime.”

 

The reforms build upon responsible action taken by the NSW Government including:

 

• Doubling of the maximum penalties for various knife related offences in 2023.

 

• The review by the NSW Sentencing Council into of sentencing for firearms, knives, and other weapons offences.

 

• Ongoing high impact NSW Police operations such as “Operation Foil” – an ongoing, targeted operation which last ran from 11–13 April 2024. It targets knife crime and anti-social behaviour with 51 knives/weapons seized and 145 people charged with weapon-related offences.  In the last year alone almost 4,000 knives were seized in public places.

 

The reforms send a strong message about the seriousness of knife related violence and the NSW Government’s commitment to take immediate proactive steps to prevent future tragedies, while also addressing longer term challenges such as serious mental health issues and the broader incidence of violent crime.

 

Attorney General Michael Daley said “These changes increase police powers, toughen penalties and send a clear signal that it is not okay to carry a knife.

 

“There are too many young people who think it is okay to put a knife into their pocket to carry out their daily business. The worrying thing is that, if they are open to carrying it, then they are probably open to using it. We want people to stop carrying knives, to leave them at home and to stop using them.”

 

While the Premier hopes that draconian-style law enforcement will change the knife culture, the obvious question has to be asked: "What about educating people as to why they shouldn't carry knives?"

 

The knife problem was dealt with previously in the mid-nineties, and the government of day did exacting what the government is doing now - a knee-jerk reaction that solved nothing. More far-reaching powers were given to police and stronger penalties enforced, which clearly did not work. So, why do our politicians believe that introducing even stronger punitive measures and giving police even more power will work now?

 

Until government understands that maintaining popularity for re election so that they are seen to be pro active is not the answer. Without getting to the root of the problem and finding why knife crime is on the increase, 'knife crimes' and anti-social behaviour are unlikely to diminish.