New wanding laws that that target the illegal possession of knives, aim to reduce knife crime and boost community safety came into effect in NSW this week.

Under the powers, modelled on Queensland’s Jack’s Law, police will be able to use handheld scanners – or electronic metal-detecting ‘wands’ – to stop and scan individuals without a warrant at designated areas.

“I know that these new laws will be inconvenient for people - but we can’t take chances when it comes to public safety," NSW Premier Chris Minns said.

“These new laws which start this week are about ensuring the public feels safe, and secondly and perhaps most importantly, to change the culture.

“To send a strong message to young people in particular, if you’re going to go out at night, don’t take a knife with you because there’s a very good chance, you’ll be wanded or scanned at a New South Wales train station.

“I have no doubt that these reforms will save lives, because people will think twice about carrying a knife with them.”

NSW Police said a senior police officer of the rank of Assistant Commissioner or above can turn on wanding powers to be used in a designated areas including:

• Public transport station (including bus, train and tram stations) and surrounds.
• Public transport vehicles within two scheduled stops of a designated public transport station
• Shopping precincts
• Certain sporting venues
• Other public places, designated by regulation, including special events and places that are part of the night-time economy.

Senior police officers will be able to declare these zones for up to 12 hours, with an option to extend that timeframe if specific criteria are met.  

The Redfern Legal Service has resources available to help explain the new NSW laws.

"Police only have the power to order you to produce the object that has caused the scanner to indicate," their fact sheet reads.

"You must remove that object (police cannot remove it for you) and show it to the police. Police can then scan you again to see if there are further objects.

"If the item is not a knife or other weapon, police must let you leave. If the item is a knife or weapon and the police officer suspects it may constitute an offence, the officer can seize and detain the item.

"The officer will then decide whether to issue you with a caution, fine, court attendance notice or arrest you."

Wanding powers can be turned on for areas where there have been issues related to knife crime or knife possession offences where one of the following have occurred in the last 12 months:

• At least one offence committed by person armed with knife or weapon.
• At least one serious indictable offence involving violence.
• More than 1 offence of knife possession or prohibited weapon possession.

NSW Police said these reforms build on the NSW Government’s continued efforts to address knife-related crime and strengthen the safety and security of communities across NSW, including:

• Doubling the maximum financial penalty for selling a knife to a child under 16 to $11,000 and introducing a custodial sentence of up to 12 months;
• Creating a new offence prohibiting the sale of a knife to a child aged 16 or 17 without a reasonable excuse, with exceptions for young people needing knives for legitimate purposes such as work or study;
• Doubling the maximum penalties for various knife-related offences;
• Supporting high-impact police operations like Operation Foil, which targets knife crime and anti-social behaviour. In its latest phase, from April 11–13, 2024, police seized 51 knives and weapons and charged 145 individuals with weapon-related offences. Over the past year, almost 4,000 knives have been confiscated in public places.

“Knife crime devastates families and communities, with the tragic consequences played out far too often," Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said.

“These new powers give police further capability and resources to quickly detect concealed knives before someone has the chance to use them.

“Police work tirelessly to keep us safe and this reform allows them to continue this important work. I want the community to have the confidence that this government is committed to giving the NSW Police Force all the tools required to combat violent crime.”