Operation Marshall, Darling Downs District

Darling Downs District police have conducted more than 360 wandings following the recent amendments to Jack's Law on 18 July.

As part of Operation Marshall, officers have carried out high visibility patrols using hand-held scanners to wand or detect illegal weapons in public places.

Between 18 to 30 July, officers conducted 361 wandings throughout the district at various locations including shopping centres, licensed premises, and public areas.

On 25 July police were conducting patrols on Lamb Street in Murgon when outside a hotel they allegedly located a 41-year-old man in possession of two knives along with a replica handgun, drugs and drug utensils.

A 41-year-old Sunny Nook man was charged with two counts each of possess dangerous drugs, possess utensils or pipes and possession of a knife in a public place or a school.

He is due to appear in the Murgon Magistrates Court on 26 August.

Darling Downs District Officer Superintendent Doug McDonald said officers will continue to carry out wanding operations to ensure community safety.

"We are committed in deterring knife crime as we have seen firsthand the devastation these types of weapons inflict when they are in the wrong hands" Superintendent McDonald said.

"Our officers will be out in force conducting proactive operations to remove illegal knives from the community as well as educating the public on the risks of unlawfully carrying a weapon.

"We want to ensure that everyone in our community feels safe and can enjoy public spaces safely."

Jack's Law was introduced in response to the tragic stabbing death of 17-year-old Jack Beasley on the Gold Coast in 2019.

The full legislative provisions are available at: https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2000-005#ch.2-pt.3A)