Chris Minns announces sweeping new powers for NSW Police to tackle knife crime, including new age buying limit

A strong new crackdown on knife crime has been announced in NSW, with police given new powers to scan people in public places for weapons without a warrant following a recent spate of stabbing incidents.

It will also now be illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to buy a knife and there will be tough penalties for any retailers who do, under new plans to be announced by the state government on Tuesday.

The current age limit is 16 years and will be increased by two years.

Premier Chris Minns said the new legislation is modeled on Queensland’s Jack’s Law, which was introduced following the tragic death of teenager Jack Beasley in 2019.

This allows police officers in Queensland to use a metal detecting wand in operations in city centres, at public transport interchanges and on public transport.

A similar plan will be introduced for NSW, giving police the power to ‘walk’ or ‘scan’ people for knives without a warrant in designated areas including transport hubs, shopping centers and other busy places.

NSW Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Police and Counter Terrorism Yasmin Catley (right) will announce more details on Tuesday

The new measures come in the wake of several high-profile stabbings, including fatal stabbings Westfield Bondi Junction knife disaster and the alleged terrorist act in which Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel lost an eye after being stabbed repeatedly.

“In recent weeks and months we have all witnessed the devastating consequences of knife-related violence,” Prime Minister Minns said.

“I know many in our community have followed the devastating media reporting and heard the stories of victims and families – tragically, there have been so many recent examples.”

‘Our communities are still in mourning, but it is vital that we take action and take immediate action to send a clear message that NSW simply will not accept this type of crime.’

‘Today we are announcing reforms including legislation based on new powers for police to search and detect knives in public places, based on Queensland’s Jack’s Law, and a common sense increase in the age limit for buying knives from 16 to 18 years old to make it harder for children to access these deadly weapons.

Minister for Police and Counter Terrorism Yasmin Catley said the new measures ‘sending a strong warning to potential perpetrators.”

“These reforms will give police better tools to quickly detect hidden knives and take action before a potential perpetrator has the chance to use them,” she said.

“These reforms will give police better tools to quickly detect hidden knives and take action before a potential perpetrator has the chance to use them.”

NSW Police will be given new powers to scan people for weapons in public places. Pictured is a recent police operation targeting knife-related offences

Jack Beasley died after suffering fatal stab wounds when attacked by a group in Surfers Paradise, on the Gold Coast.

His parents Brett and Belinda Beasley have since established the Jack Beasley Foundation – a non-profit organization that raises awareness about young people and knife crime and campaigns for change around youth justice and police powers to combat knife crime.

Queensland passed Jack’s Law in 2023, allowing police to use metal detectors to identify and seize weapons on busy thoroughfares.

Thousands of people were charged and more than 241 weapons – including flick knives, machetes and brass knuckles – were seized by officers during a trial in May 2021 and November 2022.

“No parent should have to go through what the Beasleys and many other families have gone through. No life should be cut short by violent crimes,” Ms Catley added.

“We will be looking at how these strategies work in a NSW context. Strategies we know are making a difference in Queensland.”

“These reforms are about protecting people. “I want the community to have confidence that this government is committed to giving NSW Police all the tools they need to combat violent crime.”

Brett Beasley (left, pictured with his son Jack) and his wife Belinda were instrumental in working with the NSW Government on the reforms.

The announcement follows NSW Police’s recent high-profile ‘Operation Foil’ initiative, which aimed to tackle knife crime.

The latest rollout, which took place last month and involved more than 800 officers across NSW, saw 51 knives seized and 145 people charged with gun-related offences, including the seizure of a firearm.

Last year alone, almost 4,000 knives were seized in public places.