New Knife Search ‘Wanding’ Powers Granted to NSW Police

NSW Police Granted New ‘Wanding’ Powers for Knife Search

May 7, 2024 TruthUSA

Police have been granted new powers following the recent stabbing rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction and the church attack.

Police in New South Wales (NSW) will now have the authority to use “wanding” powers to search for knives in crowded areas without the need for a warrant.

This decision comes in response to two recent stabbing incidents in Sydney, including the Bondi stabbing rampage that resulted in the deaths of six individuals, and the knife attack on a Christian bishop.

Labor Premier Chris Minns announced the proposed laws on May 7 in an effort to eliminate knives from the streets of Australia’s largest state.

The New South Wales Liberal Opposition had previously called for enhanced search powers for police in April, indicating bipartisan support for the legislation.

The government is planning to introduce legislation modeled after Queensland’s “Jack’s Law,” which will empower police to conduct “wanding” or “scanning” of individuals for knives in crowded areas such as transport hubs and shopping centers where weapon-related crimes have occurred in the preceding six months.

Additionally, selling knives to individuals under the age of 18 will be prohibited, with exceptions available for young individuals who require a knife for work or education purposes.

Premier Minns stated, “Our communities are still mourning, but it’s crucial that we take immediate action to send a strong message that NSW will not tolerate these types of crimes.”

Law Change Amidst Knife Crackdown

These reforms complement the government’s previously implemented measures regarding weapons, such as the doubling of maximum penalties for knife-related offenses in 2023.

NSW Police conducted a targeted operation in April 2024 focused on combating knife crime and anti-social behavior, resulting in the seizure of 51 knives and weapons, with 145 individuals charged with weapon-related offenses.

Attorney-General Michael Daley emphasized that these changes increase police powers, impose stricter penalties, and send a clear message to the public.

Overall, nearly 4,000 knives have been seized by police in public places over the past year.

Police and Counter-Terrorism Minister Yasmin Catley expressed that these reforms serve as a deterrent to potential offenders, enhancing police’s capability to swiftly detect concealed knives.

She stressed the importance of equipping the NSW Police Force with necessary tools to combat violent crime, instilling confidence in the community.

The Stabbing Incidents

On April 13, 2024, Joel Cauchi, a 40-year-old man armed with a knife, carried out a stabbing rampage, resulting in the deaths of six individuals in Sydney, shocking the community.

During the incident, a first-time mother and her nine-month-old baby were among the victims, with the baby sustaining injuries but being released from the hospital after receiving treatment.

Two days later, an Assyrian Christian bishop was stabbed during a live-streamed service at a western Sydney church, leading to the arrest of a 16-year-old boy on terrorism charges.

Despite Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel’s request to keep the footage of the incident online, ongoing conflicts with social media companies like X persist.

Opposition Stands Behind New Police Powers

The Liberal-National opposition, spearheaded by Mark Speakman, urgently advocated for police wanding powers on April 24, citing recent incidents in NSW as justification for enhanced law enforcement capabilities in fighting knife crime.

Unions, including the Police Association of NSW, Health Services Union, and the Shop, Distributive, and Allied Employees’ association (SDA), also supported the implementation of new wanding powers.

NSW Health Services Union political division secretary Adam Hall highlighted the necessity of preventing individuals from casually carrying knives and emphasized the importance of public safety.

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