Almost 100 weapons have been seized in a state-wide sweep aimed at stamping out knife-related crime after a spate of high-profile attacks.
Knives, knuckle dusters and machetes are among the weapons seized since NSW Police were given extra powers to carry out “wanding” operations in one state.
NSW Police have scanned 4147 people using electronic metal detectors since laws were changed in December, seizing 91 unlawful weapons and charging 67 people with 71 weapons offences.
“The number of weapons that have been seized already is shocking,” Premier Chris Minns said on Tuesday.
“To have taken almost 100 knives and other weapons off our streets is as horrifying as it is important.”
Other weapons found on offenders including Tasers, sling shots and folding kitchen knives.
The NSW legislation was modelled on Queensland’s Jack’s Law and introduced following a spate of high-profile knife crimes, including the killing of six people in a stabbing rampage at a Bondi Junction shopping centre.
The laws allow police to stop and scan individuals without a warrant at designated areas.
The Queensland laws, passed in 2023, were named after 17-year-old Jack Beasley, who was fatally stabbed on the Gold Coast in 2019.
The expanded police powers can be activated in public spaces including transport hubs, shopping precincts and certain sporting venues.
Other legal measures introduced in NSW include fines of up to $11,000 for selling knives to a child under 16 and up to a year behind bars.
The laws were introduced despite longer-term trends showing a significant decrease in knife crime in the state over the past 20 years.
The wanding operations were conducted in Sydney’s city centre and western and southwestern suburbs, as well as in regional centres such as Newcastle, Wollongong, Dubbo, Wagga Wagga and Albury.
Police Minister Yasmin Catley warned would-be offenders to rethink their actions as officers would not slow down their wanding operations.
“Anyone thinking about leaving home with a dangerous weapon should think again,” she said.
“Police are cracking down hard and you will be caught.”
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