One of nine knives police seized during the high visibility operation. Photo: NSW Police.
NSW Police seized nine knives after scanning 566 people in Wollongong in the first NSW regional operation using electronic “wands”.
New legislation allowing police to stop and search individuals at designated areas using electronic metal-detecting wands or scanners came into effect in early December.
As part of the high-visibility operation Operation Ares, 40 officers from Police Transport and Public Safety South West conducted handheld scanning operations at Wollongong Train Station, Crown Street Mall and the surrounding shopping precinct on Thursday (19 December).
During the operation, nine weapons were detected and seized, 17 people were arrested, and 18 charges and/or other legal actions were commenced, including nine charges for custody of a knife, six for possessing prohibited drugs and one person who was charged with failing to comply with the requirements of the Act. Police will allege the person refused to be scanned.
The operation was run concurrently with the state-wide Operation Foil, targeting locations known for violent offending, knife crime, possession of weapons and anti-social behaviour.
The new laws came into effect after the NSW Government introduced legislation in May in a bid to combat knife crime.
The police powers are available in areas where a knife crime has occurred within the past 12 months, including transport hubs, shopping centres, pubs and clubs.
The legislation is based on Jack’s Law, introduced by the Queensland government following the stabbing murder of 17-year-old Jack Beasley.
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