Toowoomba police implement new investigative tool – the wand – to get weapons off our streets

Toowoomba police are using a new tool to help keep weapons off our streets. See the results here:

Toowoomba police have received a positive public response to newly implemented “wand scanning” processes in which late night revellers are scanned for knives and other weapons while in the city’s Safe Night Precinct (SNP).

The wand scanning procedure was implemented as part of Jack’s Law – introduced following the stabbing death of 17-year-old Jack Beasley on the Gold Coast in 2019.

The Chronicle accompanied Sergeant Jason Steinhardt of Toowoomba police and two crews of police officers as they scanned crowds outside CBD nightclubs on Saturday night.

Tatts Hotel patron Tim Murphy subjects to a "wanding" from Toowoomba police officer Constable Luke Bianchi during police scanning procedures in the Safe Night Precinct. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“This is the third weekend we’ve done SNP wanding and so far we haven’t found anyone with knives,” Sgt Steinhardt said.

“What we’re hoping is that we don’t find any knives.

“The idea is to get weapons off the streets and it’s a deterrent to those who might want to carry a weapon.”

Sgt Steinhardt explained the process of wanding was non-invasive with the officers simply scanning the subject’s clothes without having to touch the person.

“We don’t have to go digging in people’s pockets,” he said.

Tatts Hotel patron Tim Murphy subjects to a "wanding" from Toowoomba police officers during police scanning procedures in the Safe Night Precinct. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“The wand reacts to metal in the clothing and when it goes off we simply ask the person to take out whatever is in their pockets which could be car keys or other metal objects.”

Sgt Steinhardt praised the public who had been cooperative with police requests and supportive of the new police investigative tool.

“So far it’s gone very well and generally received well by the public, no one has objected to it,” he said.

That was confirmed by nightclub patron Tim Murphy who agreed to be scanned by Constable Luke Bianchi while waiting in line outside Tatts Hotel.

“It’s not a problem,” Mr Murphy said of the police wand request.

“I reckon it’s a good thing and helps with safety.”