QLD Police expected to be given power to search people for knives in shopping centres
Queensland police patrolling shopping centres are almost certain to be handed expanded powers after the mass murder in Sydney, with Premier Steven Miles saying the case was ‘compelling’. WHAT DO YOU THINK - VOTE IN OUR POLL
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Police are expected to be given power to search people for knives in Queensland shopping centres, with Premier Steven Miles saying the case for the change was “even more compelling” following the mass stabbing in Sydney.
Officers have already stepped up patrols in shopping centres across the state in the wake of the murder of six people at Westfield Bondi Junction by Toowoomba man Joel Cauchi.
However they do not have the power to search people for knives at the centres, with wanding laws – known as Jack’s Law – only applying at Safe Night Precincts and transport hubs.
Former Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll in February said police were keen to see the powers extended to shopping centres, a call renewed on April 4 by Youth Crime Taskforce Acting Assistant Commissioner Andrew Massingham.
The calls came following the murder of Vyleen White at an Ipswich shopping centre in February.
On Monday, Acting Superintendent Tim Mowle from Gold Coast police said discussions were ongoing at a high level in relation to extending the laws.
“The wanding authorities at the moment are at major transport hubs and safe night precincts,” he said.
“(Extending the powers to shopping centres) is part of the conversations going on at the moment at a higher level to expand our powers to potentially encompass places like shopping precincts.”
Premier Steven Miles said the case for expanding Jack’s Law had been made “even more compelling” after the horrific events on the weekend.
“There was already a compelling argument (to expand Jack’s Law) but clearly the events of the weekend make it even more compelling,” he said.
“I think everyone wants to know when they go to the shops there won’t be dangerous offenders or dangerous knives, that’s what wanding can deliver.”
Jack’s Law was introduced following a campaign by the parents of 17-year-old Jack Beasley, who was stabbed to death in Surfers Paradise in December 2019.
Since its introduction in March last year, 508 weapons have been seized statewide during 4100 handheld metal detection operations, with 51,000 individuals scanned.
Police have apprehended 1369 people on 2469 charges, in relation to weapon, drug, bail and other offences as a result.
Last Thursday police on the Gold Coast conducted another major operation using the law, finding knives on two people at public transport hubs.
Eleven walk-throughs of Gold Coast shopping centres also took place as part of that operation.
Supt Mowle said Jack’s Law had successfully enhanced community safety.
“Queensland Police Service does support further consideration of expanding Jack’s Law and the program for the obvious reason that it has been successful,” he said.
“The more weapons we locate and remove from the community, the better off we are. It minimises the risk of harm to our community.”
Police Minister Mark Ryan said an announcement would soon be made on the police request.
“Community safety is always paramount,” Minister Ryan said.
“The Premier has said the government is giving consideration to a recommendation from police that wanding operations be extended to shopping centres and other public domains.
“That process is currently underway, and there will be further announcements about these matters in due course.
“The government will always listen to police when it comes to matters of community safety.”
Despite the greater police presence at shopping centres, senior officers are not considering the reintroduction of physical ‘police beats’, saying they were able to achieve greater visibility with police vans which performed the same function.
Superintendent Peter Miles said: “We’ve got the police beat officers. They’re still around. It’s just their mode of transport has changed.
“They’re still out and about using our mobile police facilities, which can be used in various parts of the precinct.
“Four walls does not save lives, what gives people assurance that police are out and about is by seeing uniforms, seeing police officers out and about in their cars, walking around, saying hello to people, having conversations, that’s what gives people assurance.”
Cauchi, originally from Toowoomba, spent some time on the Gold Coast in recent months, staying at Backpackers in Paradise on Peninsular Dr.
His last interaction with Queensland Police was in December when stopped for a street check in Surfers Paradise.
Sup Mowle said Queensland Police are supporting NSW Police in their investigation into Cauchi’s murderous rampage “as far as possible”.
“It was a truly devastating event, my heart goes out to family and friends of all those who were involved,” he said.
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