National push for police wanding powers to combat knife crime
The family of a teen killed in a violent knife attack in Surfers Paradise in 2019 want police across Australia to be able to use metal detection wands to search criminals for weapons.
A foundation set up in Jack Beasley’s honour has lead a sustained campaign to crackdown on knife and youth crime in Queensland, but his parents say they want to see change in each state.
Yesterday, hundreds turned out for the Walk for Jack event on the Gold Coast.
His father Brett Beasley said it was overwhelming to see so many people honour their son.
“[Youth crime] is a massive issue down here, not only here in south-east Queensland but in the whole state, up north has got huge problems as well,” he told Jason Dasey, filling in on Brisbane Live.
“We are super excited about the wanding trial that we had down here, the amount of weapons that found down here was huge.”
In Queensland, police will now be able to use wands to search people for knives on buses, trams, trains, and outside pubs, nightclubs and popular nightlife spots in what’s been dubbed Jack’s Law.
The trial was originally run on the Gold Coast before the state government announced new laws across the state.
“Our next plan is to go Australia wide,” Mr Beasley said.
“I think it’s not only a problem here in our state of Queensland, it’s all around the country.
“The police need these powers … it’s got to happen, it’s saving lives. It’s proved here in Queensland how many lives it’s saved.
“I think that’s our agenda next year is to fight to have it Australia wide.”
Press PLAY below to hear more about his push