SOUTH Brisbane – which includes Redlands and Bayside – has emerged as a significant focus of Queensland Police wanding operations, with 7,557 people scanned and 40 weapons seized in the six months since Jack’s Law was expanded and made permanent by the State Government.
The South Brisbane figures form part of a broader statewide enforcement effort that has seen police scan 82,648 people, seize 603 weapons, make 1,280 arrests and lay 2,424 charges since the laws were strengthened.
New data shows the use of hand-held metal detector powers has surged compared with the same six-month period last year, when Jack’s Law was temporary and restricted.
Under the previous arrangements, police scanned 28,336 people and seized 255 weapons statewide.
Since the expansion, police have conducted 54,312 additional scans and removed 348 more weapons, reflecting what the government says is strong frontline confidence to use the powers wherever knife crime poses a risk.
South Brisbane’s tally places it among the higher-activity regions across the state, alongside nearby policing areas such as North Brisbane and the Gold Coast, where large crowds and busy nightlife precincts have been a focus of enforcement.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the results showed the laws were delivering real-world outcomes.
In just six months, Queensland police have scanned 82,648 people and taken 603 weapons off our streets – that’s real prevention, not rhetoric, which Queenslanders saw during Labor’s decade of decline,” Minister Purdie said.
Labor wanted Jack’s Law to lapse, but we made it permanent and gave police the powers they’ve been asking for, and now, other jurisdictions are following us.
“Every weapon seized is a potential life saved, and that’s how we honour Jack Beasley’s legacy.”
Jack’s Law is named in honour of Jack Beasley, who was fatally stabbed at Surfers Paradise in 2019.
His parents, Brett Beasley and Belinda Beasley, have campaigned nationally to prevent similar tragedies.
Brett Beasley said the South Brisbane and statewide results reinforced why the law mattered.
Every knife removed from the street is a potential tragedy prevented,” Mr Beasley said.
“We’ll never know whose life was protected, but we do know these laws are stopping violence before it happens.”
Belinda Beasley said Jack’s legacy would continue to protect young people and families.
Jack’s Law is about protecting young people and giving families peace of mind,” Mrs Beasley said.
“We’re grateful to police who use these powers every day, and to the Crisafulli Government for listening, acting and making this law permanent.”
Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said the South Brisbane figures highlighted the effectiveness of giving officers broader authority in public places.
Every knife taken off the street makes our community safer, and these results reflect the tireless work of our police,” Commissioner Gollschewski said.
“Having expanded powers has enhanced our frontline police’s ability to better prevent, detect and disrupt crime, and keep Queensland safe.”
The six-month milestone also follows a $1 million state government investment to secure the future of the Jack Beasley Foundation’s One Moment education program, which delivers knife-crime prevention messages to students across Queensland.
