Thirty-five people have been charged and 21 weapons seized on the first weekend of sweeping new powers coming into effect, which allow police to stop and search West Australians for knives without obtaining a warrant.
Officers have conducted more than 4500 edged-weapon scans with hand-held metal detectors since Friday, most of which were in Perth’s entertainment precincts.
“It is disturbing that people are still doing it, it is concerning that a small number of people plan to go out and carry edged weapons,” Minister for Police Paul Papalia told media on Sunday.
Among those charged were four juveniles, including a 14-year-old boy caught with a 10-centimetre metal axe in Yagan Square.
Other weapons seized include a tomahawk, pocket knives, kitchen knives, hammers and pepper spray, with some blades up to 20 centimetres long.
Thirty-five people have been charged and 21 weapons seized.Credit: WA Police
A further ten people were caught with weapons, however, they had a reasonable excuse for carrying them, such as work requirements. Self-defence was not considered reasonable.
“Whilst we’re happy with the results in keeping the community safe, it is still concerning that some people out there still feel the need to bring concealed weapons into public places. It’s ridiculous,” acting Assistant Commissioner Dario Bolzonella said.
The new laws were modelled on Queensland’s “Jack’s Law” – which empowered officers to use metal detectors in entertainment precincts after the stabbing death of teenager Jack Beasley in 2019 – and were first revealed by 9News Perth and WAtoday in May.
The state government claims they are the toughest knife laws in the country.
“It’s not a matter of if you’re going to get caught, it’s when you’re going to be caught,” Bolzonella said.
Kids were among those charged with possessing a weapon.Credit: WA Police
The maximum penalty for those caught with an edged weapon is three years jail and a $36,000 fine, while those who refuse to comply could face up to a year behind bars or a $12,000 fine.
A total of 67 charges were laid in the statewide sting, relating to unlawful weapon and drug possession offences.