Ocean St safe night precinct knife wanding continues in Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast police have scanned more than 100 people in Maroochydore’s night life precinct in a bid to send a clear message about knives and other weapons. Watch the video.

Police operations in a Sunshine Coast party precinct have resulted in more than 110 people being scanned for knives while on nights out.

Two people have also been charged with knife possession.

Sunshine Coast police are able to use metal detectors to scan people for knives in the Maroochydore safe night precinct since the state government introduced Jack’s Law.

The law was created following the stabbing death of 17-year-old Jack Beasley on the Gold Coast in 2019.

Police officers are looking for bladed weapons in an effort to reduce knife crime and they started searching Maroochydore partygoers in April.

Sunshine Coast police search people for knives in the Ocean St party precinct in Maroochydore on April 14. Picture: Letea Cavander

In May, an analysis of the Sunshine Coast’s most dangerous streets and suburbs showed 15 assaults had occurred on Ocean St and more than 40 had occurred in the surrounding streets and the Sunshine Plaza in the past six months.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said police had conducted 20 wanding operations since April, resulting in the wanding of 112 people – 79 adults and 33 juveniles – at the Maroochydore safe night precinct.

Police have conducted 20 wanding operations since April, resulting in the wanding of 112 people – 79 adults and 33 juveniles – at the Maroochydore safe night precinct. Picture: Patrick Woods

“This has resulted in two knives being located, one adult and one juvenile,” the spokeswoman said.

She said a 34-year-old Nambour man was charged with possession of a knife in a public place and appeared before the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on June 2.

A 16-year-old boy was issued a notice to appear for possession of a knife in a public place and will also appear before Maroochydore Magistrates Court.

Sunshine Coast District Superintendent Craig Hawkins said police would continue wanding activities within the Maroochydore safe night precinct aiming to “positively influence patron safety” and minimise risk of harm.

“There is no need for any person to be in possession of any weapon at any time,” he said.

“Anyone who brings a weapon of any description into a public place should expect to be approached by police.

“The message is clear – do not go into public with any object that can be used as a weapon.”