BOCSAR study: Robberies, break-ins, car thefts significantly reduced

Police using stop-and-search powers are seizing 60 knives a week – 3300 bladed weapons this year – on NSW streets and say the results have contributed to a big drop in break-ins, car thefts and robberies. Other weapons have also been seized.

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Police using stop-and-search powers are seizing 60 knives a week on NSW streets, contributing they say to a big drop in break-ins, car thefts and robberies.

Deputy Police Commissioner Jeff Loy said it was further proof controversial police stop-and-search and move-on powers reduce crime.

“Each and every one of these weapons had the potential to be used to threaten or cause serious harm to members of the community,” Mr Loy said yesterday.

“Not only are they extremely dangerous, but they can also be relatively easy to conceal.”

Body-cam vision of a police operation on Sydney’s Pitt St Mall.

Bladed weapons found during at search in Waterloo. Picture: NSW Police

A double bladed knife found on a man searched in October. Picture: NSW Police

A man is seen in a shopping centre holding a large knife. Picture: NSW Police

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The claim has been backed up by a new report from the Bureau of Crime Statistics that found a 10 per cent increase in person searches reduced break and enter offences by 2.4 per cent, car theft by 2.5 and robbery by 3.4 per cent.

The study analysed figures over a 12 year period from 2001 to 2013 across 17 Sydney police commands.

BOCSAR executive director Jackie Fitzgerald said the impact of increased person searches was not immediate but gradually brought down crime.

“What seems to matter is the overall level of police ­activity, with sustained high levels of move-on directions and person searches producing lower levels of these offences,” Ms Fitzgerald said.

“This takes in all types of searches, including full body, exterior pat downs and vehicle searches.

“This covers all types of robberies which are classified as a serious and violent crime.”

An axe seized from a car during a stop-and-search. Picture: NSW Police

Police also uncovered various knife-like implements during the stop-and-search. Picture: NSW Police

Neither police move-on ­directions nor person searches had any meaningful effect on the incidence of assaults.

In 2018, NSW Police issued 120,000 move-on directions and conducted 250,000 person and vehicle searches.

Deputy Commissioner Loy admitted the laws were considered controversial by some but NSW Police would continue to use them because it was a proven and effective weapon in reducing crime levels across the state.

A man is stopped and searched in Waterloo. Picture: NSW Police

A knife was found on the man searched in Waterloo. Picture: NSW Police

Knives, machetes and a gun found in the boot of a car during a southwest Sydney police operation targeting knife crime. Picture: NSW Police

The gun found in the boot of a car. Picture: NSW Police

Police released body-cam vision of a number of searches and seizures to show the public how the searches were conducted and the myriad weapons and drugs uncovered.

Deputy Commissioner Loy said strip searches which have attracted adverse publicity were rarely used.

“Of all person searches conducted in NSW only 2 per cent are strip searches,” Mr Loy said. “We seized more than 3300 knives this year alone and the BOCSAR report highlighted that an increase in police activity, whether in the form of a move-on direction or person search, helped suppress break-ins, motor vehicle theft and robbery.”