Imitation handgun seized by Operation Victor Course police at Helenvale station
Police have released extraordinary vision showing the reaction of a 14-year-old boy after they seized an imitation handgun from him at a Gold Coast train station. SEE THE FOOTAGE
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Police have released shocking footage of an imitation gun being taken from a 14-year-old boy at a Gold Coast transport hub.
The item was discovered when police conducted “wanding” searches using a metal detector on a group of teenagers at Helensvale Station.
One of the boys, a 14-year-old from Pacific Pines, was found to be carrying the imitation weapon which had the appearance of a handgun.
Remarkably the boy remonstrated with police, three times asking for the gun back, getting a firm ‘no’ from incredulous officers.
“I’m not allowed my gun back?,” he asked.
“No,” officers replied.
“It’s an offence to walk around with an imitation firearm. Do you think walking around like this, when people are walking around, they’d be happy to see that?
“You walking around with that causes fear to other people.”
The boy was dealt with under provisions of the Youth Justice Act for commit public nuisance and going armed to cause fear as a result of the incident, which took place on July 22.
The imitation handgun was one of 74 weapons seized by Operation Victor Course officers during hundreds of patrols of the South East Queensland public transport network since April.
Police said officers had conducted more than 4600 wanding searches and engaged with more than 5000 bus drivers as part of the ongoing public safety blitz at bus stations and routes from North Lakes to Broadbeach.
Also detected was a knuckle duster being carried by a 16-year-old Pimpama boy at a tram stop in Broadbeach in June. He was dealt with under provisions of the Youth Justice Act for unlawful possession of weapons category D/H/R.
Police also released footage of Operation Victor Course officers arresting a 34-year-old Biggera Waters man on a tram in Broadbeach who appeared under the influence of alcohol. He was charged with being intoxicated in a public place.
Wanding searches were introduced as part of Jack’s Law, which gives police power to search people for knives in public places.
The law was introduced following the stabbing death of 17-year-old Jack Beasley in Surfers Paradise in 2019, and subsequent campaigning by his grieving parents.
Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy said high visibility policing on public transport was helping to keep passengers and staff safe.
“No doubt as school holidays continue people will be using public transport to travel to high traffic areas like shopping centres and lifestyle precincts,” Deputy Commissioner Chelepy said.
“To have removed 74 weapons from the south-east bus network alone is an outstanding effort in protecting these commuters and we are committed to continuing to take dangerous weapons off our streets.
“430 weapons have been seized now statewide thanks to Jack’s Law.
“Police and Translink will continue to be out in force together patrolling busways, to ensure our communities can safely enjoy all Queensland has to offer.”
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