‘You Will Be Caught’: NSW Seize 91 Knives, and Machetes Under New Wanding Powers

Police have scanned more than 4,000 people for knives and dangerous weapons using electronic metal detecting ‘wands.’

A supplied undated image obtained Saturday, June 19, 2021 shows a knife seized by NSW Police. AAP Image/Supplied by NSW Police

New South Wales (NSW) police have seized more than 90 knives, machetes, and other dangerous weapons off the streets under the government’s new wanding powers.

The new knife scanning legislation providing police with the power to use handheld scanners to search for knives came into force on Dec. 9, 2024.

NSW Police can use these electronic metal-detecting “wands” to stop and scan individuals without a warrant in public areas.

Police have seized knives, tasers, slingshots, knuckle dusters, machetes, and folding kitchen knives under these wanding powers.

In 34 operations across the city and country NSW, police have scanned 4,147 people, seized 91 unlawful weapons, and charged 67 people with 71 weapons offences.

The update from the NSW government comes after four people were charged following a recent stabbing brawl in Green Valley, Western Sydney. A 29-year-old man was injured and underwent surgery in hospital after being stabbed in the back.

Premier Chris Minns said the near-hundred weapons taken off the streets was as horrifying as it was important.

“Our tough knife laws are working and getting weapons out of our community,” he said.

‘Police Are Cracking Down Hard’

NSW Police Force Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty emphasised that high-visibility operations were designed to catch people carrying knives and weapons.

“There are only very few purposes for anyone to have a knife in their possession in public. In most, circumstances, it is illegal and will only lead to tragedy and the death of innocent people,” he said.

Police and counter-terrorism Minister Yasmin Catley said anyone thinking about leaving home with a dangerous weapon should think again.

“The NSW Police are cracking down hard and you will be caught,” she said.

“I want to thank the NSW Police who are working around the clock to seize dangerous weapons and keep our community safe from the devastating effects of knife crime,” she said.

As part of the broader push to curb knife crime, the Minns government has doubled the fine for selling a knife to a child under 16 to $11,000, with a potential 12-month custodial sentence.

How do the Laws Work?

A senior police officer ranked Assistant Commissioner or higher can call on wanding powers to be used in specific public areas.

These include shopping centres, sporting venues, and public transport stations including bus, train, and tram stations.

These zones can be declared for up to 12 hours, and can be extended under specific criteria.

Wanding powers can also be used in locations with recent serious violent offences, or multiple weapon-related incidents.

At the time the laws were introduced, Minns said the legislation was about shifting public attitudes.

“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,” he said.

Opposition Supports New Police Powers

The NSW Opposition has backed the new laws, having previously called for stronger police powers in early 2024 following the Bondi stabbing rampage and the attack on a bishop at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley.

At the time, the NSW Opposition offered to work with the government in a bi-partisan manner to “urgently legislate” broad wanding measures for public safety.

“The NSW Opposition is calling for legislation to grant the NSW Police Force powers to use metal-detecting wands to enhance community safety,” the Opposition said in April 2024.

“Given the recent tragedy at Bondi Junction Westfield and the alleged terrorist event at Wakeley, the powers should be designed in the interests of public safety and to protect people who are lawfully going about their everyday lives. There are many circumstances where these powers would enhance public safety.”