Gold Coast police seize two weapons during first weekend of ‘wanding’ trial

A crackdown on youth crime on the Gold Coast has seen police use metal detectors for the first time, resulting in weapons being seized. The use of GPS trackers on repeat offenders is next.

Nine people have been charged and two weapons seized during the first weekend of a police ‘wanding’ trial on the Gold Coast.

The 12-month trial of handheld metal detectors is part of the State Government’s new youth crime crackdown.

It follows a wave of knife violence on the Glitter Strip, including several deadly stabbings involving teenagers.

Gold Coast police Superintendent Rhys Wildman. Picture: Jerad Williams

Gold Coast police Superintendent Rhys Wildman said 116 people were ‘wanded’ over the Labour Day long weekend in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

Police seized a knife and a screwdriver from two men, aged 23 and 31, who were scanned as part of the trial.

The 31-year-old carrying the knife was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and given a notice to appear in court later this month, while the 23-year-old with the screwdriver was cautioned.

Gold Coast police are trialling the use of handheld metal detectors in a crackdown on youth crime. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Supt Wildman said the wanding trial also helped police bust eight other offences including drug possession, breaching bail and flouting banning orders from the Safe Night Precinct.

He said police were conscious of civil liberties concerns about the trial but people had nothing to fear ‘if you’re doing nothing wrong’.

Supt Wildman also revealed that another key plank of the youth crime crackdown - GPS trackers for repeat offenders - would be deployed within two weeks.

He said they would be used to monitor the 10 per cent of recidivist offenders who were committing almost half of all youth crimes.