The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is working to combat knife crime across the state, following the rollout of legislation to increase officers' wanding powers to better detect people carrying weapons in public places.
Jack's Law allows police to use handheld metal detectors to scan people and their belongings to detect knives and other weapons in any public space or entertainment venue.
If you are caught carrying a knife in a public place, you risk a $5,750 fine and/or one year in prison.
Police regularly conduct wanding operations in a bid to reduce knife crime and create safer public spaces. You must have a reasonable excuse to be carrying a knife or weapon in public.
By scanning for, detecting and removing dangerous weapons from public places, police aim to reduce the harm these weapons cause in the community while educating the public about the risks of unlawfully carrying a weapon.
Scans are quick, averaging a minute or two and require no physical contact by police.
FAQs about police wanding in Queensland
Q. How long does it take to conduct a scan?
A. Scans are quick, averaging a minute or two.
Q. Why was I selected to be scanned?
A. Scans are selected at random by police exercising their rights under the Powers and Responsibilities Act (PPRA). Being selected does not mean police suspect you are in possession of a weapon.
Q. Do police need to physically touch me when I'm being scanned?
A. No, wanding requires no physical contact by police.
Q. Can police wand me anywhere?
A. Police have the authority to stop you and conduct a wanding in any public space, as part of their expanded powers under Jacks Law
Q. Is it an offence to refuse to be wanded?
A. Yes, If you fail to comply with a police officer's requirement, it is an offence under S791 of the PPRA. Under s30(1)(l) of the PPRA it is a prescribed circumstance and you may be the subject of a search.
Q. What weapons are you looking for?
A. A weapon may be a knife, firearm, or another tool or item which may cause harm.
Q. What if I was carrying the knife for protection?
A. Carrying a knife for protection is not considered to be a reasonable excuse to be in possession of a weapon, and if police detect it, you risk a fine or imprisonment.
Q. What happens if you find a weapon on me?
A. If the scanner indicates the presence of metal, you will be asked to produce the item. If it is a weapon and you don't have a reasonable excuse, it will likely result in its seizure. If you are caught carrying a knife in a public place, you risk a $5,750 fine and/or one year in prison.
Q. Does it count if the weapon is in my bag?
A. Yes, a wanding will be conducted on you and your belongings.
History of Jack's Law legislation
The use of handheld metal detecting scanners to target knife crime was introduced as part of a trial on the Gold Coast in 2021, two years after the tragic stabbing death of 17-year-old Jack Beasley during a night out with friends in 2019.
The legislated use of these handheld scanners was introduced as part of the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, which permitted their use in both the Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach Safe Night Precincts (SNPs).
Off the back of that success, the Police Power and Responsibilities Act was amended on 2 April 2023, expanding the trial of handheld scanner provisions to include all 15 Safe Night Precincts and all public transport stations.
This expanded legislation was named 'Jack's Law' in memory of Jack Beasley, and to acknowledge the tireless legislative advocacy and commitment to community education by Jack's parents, Brett and Belinda Beasley.
On 30 August 2024, the Queensland Community Safety Act 2024 expanded the areas to be considered as relevant places under Jack's Law to include public places such as shopping centres, retail premises, sporting and entertainment venues, licensed venues and rail lines
Jack's Law was expanded once again and became permanent on July 18, 2025, giving Queensland Police permanent powers to "wand" for weapons anywhere in the state where knife crime may be a risk, helping get more weapons off the streets and saving lives.
Between the time the trial started in 2021 and when it became permanent in 2025, over 1260 weapons including machetes, screwdrivers, flick knives, knuckledusters and tasers were detected and taken off the streets. Since becoming permanent (as at 26 August 2025) over 180 weapons have been removed from the streets with over 23,300 scans being conducted.
