New Knife Searching Powers Sought for Police in NSW

Multiple unions are calling for the right for police to use metal detectors to search people without a warrant.

Armed police patrol outside the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping mall after a stabbing incident in Sydney on April 13, 2024. David Gray/ AFP via Getty Images

New South Wales (NSW) unions are calling for new police “wanding” powers to search for knives in public.

Police would have the ability to use metal detectors to search people without a warrant under the new powers being sought by unions representing police, health, and retail workers.

This follows two recent stabbing attacks, including the Bondi shopping mall stabbing spree and the alleged attack of a Christian bishop in Sydney.

Six people were killed in a stabbing rampage at the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre on April 13, while 12 others were sent to hospital for injuries.

Just two days later, Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was allegedly stabbed multiple times during a live televised Assyrian Orthodox service on April 18.

Police Association of NSW president Kevin Morton said the “non-intrusive” search measure would help their police officers to prevent and disrupt knife related crime.

“This is a non-invasive scan that is already used at large scale events from concerts to sporting finals, from getting on a plane to walking into the Easter Show. Scanning for weapons is part of keeping the people of New South Wales safe,” he said.

Mr. Morton explained the association wanted to proactively prevent knife crime from taking place.

“This is not an enforcement issue, but about keeping the community safe in day to day life.”

In Queensland, state parliament passed laws in 2023 enabling police officers to randomly scan people for knives at nightlife precincts.

The NSW unions pointed out that the laws they are calling for are similar to those recently introduced in the Sunshine state.

Can’t Let People Casually Slip a Knife in Their Back Pocket: Union

Meanwhile, NSW Health Services Union political division secretary Adam Hall raised concerns about individuals being able to wander around in public with knives.

“We can’t have a situation where people put on their jeans and sneakers and casually slip a knife into their back pocket. It’s just not on,” Mr. Hall said.

“Health workers have enough to worry about and deserve to feel safe as they tend to patients and keep our hospitals running. New laws are really important. We can’t eliminate risk but we can certainly minimise it.”

Meanwhile Bernie Smith, NSW secretary of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association (SDA), said too many retail workers have suffered due to knife-related incidents in stores.

“The SDA on behalf of retail workers has been calling for measures to support safe shopping districts and this includes non-invasive measures like wanding,” Mr. Smith said.

“Our members support better controls on sale of knives and proactive measures to prevent knife related crime.”

Further, the Public Service Association of NSW general secretary Stewart Little added, “If you’re carrying a concealed knife you should know there’s a very good chance you’re going to get caught by the police.”

“That’s the peace of mind my members want and it’s what their communities want,” he said.

“Our members that work in the police, youth justice, and the prison system are appalled at the current incidence of youth knife crime. Something needs to be done.”

It comes after unions and police began pushing for the ability to impose criminal charges on parents of children in possession of weapons, including knives.

The Epoch Times has contacted NSW Police for comment.