How many weapons were seized in the Far North under the first week of Jack’s Law?

The LNP has released new data related to Jack’s Law in the Far North which has given police greater powers to “wand” members of the public for knives and other weapons.

Police “wanded” 371 members of the public in the Far North last week. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Almost 400 people have been scanned for knives or other weapons since Jack’s Law gave police greater powers to “wand” members of the public in Far North Queensland.

Far North police scanned 371 people between July 18 and 25, following the state government’s decision to expand and permanently introduce the law.

During the searches, an LNP spokeswoman said five weapons have been seized.

Police Minister Dan Purdie said Jack’s Law had allowed police to take deadly weapons off the streets.

“Five weapons in seven days – that’s five potential tragedies avoided,” Mr Purdie said.

“These are the kinds of results police have been calling for, and the Crisafulli government is finally backing them with the tools they need.”

A trial of the law was sparked by the stabbing death of 17-year-old Jack Beasley on the Gold Coast in 2019.

His father, Brett Beasley, is honouring his memory and will embark on a mission to take the law international.

Mr Beasley and his wife Belinda are set to meet with UK politicians and Scotland Yard to discuss the possible expansion of Jack’s Law with British parliamentarians.

“We’ve taken off over 1500 weapons off the streets of Queensland. I do think Jack’s Law will work in the UK,” Mr Beasley said.

“It’s about community safety and that’s what we want to do.”

The campaign has led to more than 50,000 people being scanned or “wanded” in Queensland, 1300 weapons being taken off the street and more than 2200 charges laid.

It also follows the adoption of Jack’s Law legislation by NSW, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

Mr Beasley and his wife will travel to the UK in November for five days, along with Queensland Police, in a bid to push Jack’s Law through the UK.

Member for Barron River, Bree James, said every Queenslander deserved to feel safe in their community.

“And that starts with getting weapons off our streets,” Ms James said.

“In Far North Queensland, we’ve seen far too many incidents involving knives on public transport, in public spaces, and across our neighbourhoods.

“These stronger laws are working. Police now have the powers they’ve long been asking for and they’re using them to keep our community safe.”

Across the state, 5609 Queenslanders were wanded in the first week of the permanent law and 30 weapons were removed.

That’s compared to 1879 wandings that occurred at the same time last year.

“I was very pleased to see the Jack’s Law trial extended permanently by the Crisafulli government,” Member for Mulgrave, Terry James, said.

“Just the sheer volume of weapons that, due to the diligent wanding by Queensland Police officers, are no longer on our streets is justification enough for us to wholeheartedly support this initiative.”

Originally published as How many weapons were seized in the Far North under the first week of Jack’s Law?