Thousands Wanded, 600+ Weapons Seized As Jack’s Law Delivers Results

Police have scanned 82,648 people, seized 603 weapons, made 1,280 arrests and laid 2,424 charges across Queensland in the six months since Jack’s Law was expanded and made permanent by the Government.

New data shows a sharp increase in the use of wanding powers compared with the same six-month period a year prior, when the laws were restricted and temporary: Police scanned 28,336 people and removed 255 weapons.

Since the Government delivered permanent, statewide powers, police have conducted 54,312 additional scans and seized 348 more weapons. The increase reflects strong frontline confidence to use the powers wherever knife crime poses a risk.

The impact of Jack’s Law has been felt right across Queensland, with police scanning thousands of people and seizing weapons in every corner of the State:

Far North Queensland: 6,522 people scanned, 61 weapons seized

Townsville: 7,932 people scanned, 99 weapons seized

Mount Isa: 1,217 people scanned, 10 weapons seized

Mackay Whitsunday: 4,194 people scanned, 10 weapons seized

Capricornia: 2,876 people scanned, 21 weapons seized

South West: 1,445 people scanned, 0 weapons  

Wide Bay Burnett: 826 people scanned, 14 weapons seized

Darling Downs: 4,134 people scanned, 25 weapons seized

Ipswich: 3,295 people scanned, 42 weapons seized

Sunshine Coast: 3,206 people scanned, 3 weapons seized

Moreton: 4,352 people scanned, 21 weapons seized

Logan: 5,537 people scanned, 30 weapons seized

Gold Coast: 17,362 people scanned, 159 weapons seized

North Brisbane: 12,193 people scanned, 68 weapons seized

South Brisbane: 7,557 people scanned, 40 weapons seized


By expanding Jack’s Law, police can now use hand-held metal detectors in all public places, rather than a limited list of prescribed locations, dramatically increasing their ability to detect weapons and intervene early.

After a decade of restricted powers and rising knife crime, the Government has acted decisively to give police the tools and authority they need to do their jobs.

Today’s milestone follows the Government’s $1 million investment to secure the future of the Jack Beasley Foundation’s ‘One Moment’ program, ensuring thousands of Queensland students continue to hear Jack’s story and understand the consequences of knife crime.

Jack’s Law is named in honour of 17-year-old Jack Beasley, who was fatally stabbed at Surfers Paradise in 2019.

His parents, Brett and Belinda Beasley, have since campaigned tirelessly to prevent other families from experiencing the same tragedy.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the results showed the laws were working.

“In just six months, Queensland police have scanned 82,648 people and taken 603 weapons off our streets - that’s real prevention, not rhetoric,” Minister Purdie said, "we made it permanent and gave police the powers they’ve been asking for, and now, other jurisdictions are following us.

“Every weapon seized is a potential life saved, and that’s how we honour Jack Beasley’s legacy.”

Brett Beasley said the results reinforced the importance of the law.

“Every knife removed from the street is a potential tragedy prevented,” Mr Beasley said.

“We’ll never know whose life was protected, but we do know these laws are stopping violence before it happens.”

Belinda Beasley said Jack’s legacy would endure.

“Jack’s Law is about protecting young people and giving families peace of mind,” Mrs Beasley said.

Commissioner of Police Steve Gollschewski commended frontline police for their extensive work in leveraging Jack’s Law to tackle knife crime.  

“Every knife taken off the street makes our community safer, and these results reflect the tireless work of our police,” Commissioner Gollschewski said. 

“Having expanded powers has enhanced our frontline police’s ability to better prevent, detect and disrupt crime, and keep Queensland safe.”

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