New South Wales police may be handed more power to search people for knives. The State Government is looking at giving officers the right to stop members of the public without a warrant and without reasonable suspicion.

Council of the City of Sydney

New South Wales police might receive increased authority to conduct searches for knives among the public, as the State Government considers enabling officers to halt individuals without a warrant or reasonable suspicion. This contemplation arises in the wake of incidents in Bondi and Wakeley, which have sparked a wider conversation about knife crime in the community. In response, various unions representing police, youth justice, transport, and health workers are urging the NSW Government to adopt legislation similar to a recent Queensland law.

A year prior, Queensland empowered its police force with the ability to use metal detector wands for knife detection, eliminating the requirement for a search warrant or reasonable suspicion in specific areas, including nightlife precincts and transport hubs. The initiative has reportedly been successful in Queensland, with police seizing 532 weapons since the law's implementation. Inspired by this outcome, last week, the Western Australian Government announced it would consider similar legislative changes.

Despite these moves, there's an ongoing debate about the effectiveness and necessity of such laws. The NSW Council for Civil Liberties has expressed skepticism, noting that violent knife crimes have been on a decline, reaching a 20-year low, according to Bureau of Crime Statistics figures. They argue that there's no solid evidence suggesting that random street searches would contribute significantly to reducing violent knife crime. Moreover, they highlight concerns over the potential for these powers to be used oppressively against vulnerable communities.

The NSW Government has communicated its intent to approach any adjustments to the law with caution, striving to strike a balance between protecting individual freedoms and ensuring community safety. As discussions continue, the proposed changes represent a significant shift in police powers, reflecting broader societal concerns over public safety and civil liberties.



Police could be handed powers to search for knives

The Bondi and Wakeley stabbings have ignited discussion about knife crime. Unions for police, youth justice, transport and health workers are lobbying the NSW Government to follow a new Queensland law. This is not an enforcement issue, this is about protecting the community. A year ago the Sunshine State gave police the power to use metal detector wands to scan people for knives. Officers do not need a search warrant, nor do they need to reasonably suspect a person is unlawfully carrying a weapon. The law only applies in certain nightlife precincts or transport hubs. In Queensland it's proven that this does take knives off the streets. Since the law came in, Queensland police have seized 532 weapons. Last week the WA Government said it would look at introducing similar legislation. Now we're contemplating that law change, but it's a major change to the way it's applied in NSW. We will look at any option to get these knives off our streets. But violent knife crimes are already trending down. Bureau of Crime Statistics figures show knife-related murders, robberies and assaults have fallen to a 20-year low. The NSW Council for Civil Liberties says there's no evidence that wanding people in the street would reduce violent knife crime. It says people have a right to go about their daily business in public without interference from the police. The police can just use this power as another tool for oppressing vulnerable communities. The Government says any changes won't be rushed as it balances individual freedom against community protection.

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