The Police Association of NSW welcomes the NSW Government’s announcement of a suite of reforms designed to target knife-related crime and enhance public safety.
As part of the proposed legislative changes, police can use metal detection wands to stop and scan without a warrant in circumstances where a relevant weapons offense or knife crime has occurred within the past six months.
PANSW President Kevin Morton said that the PANSW has been at the forefront of advocacy for the use of wands in designated areas in the wake of the Bondi and Wakeley attacks.
“The Premier and Police Minister have responded to our calls for a stronger stance on knife crime.”
“Using wands will give police an additional preventative tool in their kit to detect these dangerous implements in designated areas and keep the community safe.”
“This stop-and-scan approach has already been successfully implemented in Queensland, with hundreds of weapons removed from the streets.”
“Implementing these measures shows that public safety is paramount. Shopping centres should be places where people can gather without fear. Transport hubs should be destinations where the public can safely transit between locations, not vehicles for knife-related crime.”
Media contact:
Elyssa King
PANSW Media & Communications Officer
0484 777 780 or media@pansw.org.au
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