What’s happening?
Townsville police are continuing wanding operations under Jack’s Law as part of efforts to prevent knife crime across the district.
The law allows officers to scan people and their belongings with handheld metal detectors in public spaces and entertainment venues. Anyone caught carrying a knife in public could face a large fine, imprisonment or both.
Why it matters
Townsville District Acting Superintendent Damien Crosby said officers would continue patrolling public places and conducting wanding operations to deter people from carrying dangerous weapons.
“Local officers will continue to proactively take measures to keep the Townsville community and visitors safe,” Acting Superintendent Crosby said. “Everyone has the right and deserves to feel safe and enjoy our public spaces. Jack’s Law is about making sure dangerous weapons aren’t being carried around the community, it is about making sure dangerous weapons don’t cause lifelong trauma.”
Local impact
Jack’s parents, Brett and Belinda Beasley, visited Townsville on Friday, 17 July and met local officers at the city’s Safe Night Precinct.
The couple spoke with police about the importance of Jack’s Law and the work officers undertake to keep weapons out of public places.
Their visit came as Townsville police marked a major milestone in local wanding operations under the law.
By the numbers
- Police scanned 14,141 people across the Townsville District between 18 July 2025 and 21 July 2026.
- Officers located 166 weapons during the scans, which generally take only one or two minutes to complete.
- Police charged 272 people with a combined 563 offences following operations conducted during the reporting period.
Zoom In
Two recent cases show how police are applying Jack’s Law across Townsville entertainment and nightlife areas.
At about 6.45 pm on 28 June, officers allegedly found a pocket knife on a 28-year-old Hyde Park man at a licensed Aitkenvale venue. The premises were located near the corner of Ross River Road and Akuna Street.
Police charged the man with possessing a knife in a public place and stealing. He appeared in Townsville Magistrates Court on 22 July.
In a separate incident, officers allegedly found a box cutter on a 48-year-old man near Flinders Street in Townsville City. The incident occurred at about 2.15 am on 10 July.
Police charged him with possessing a knife in a public place. He was due to appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on 28 July.
Zoom Out
Jack’s Law was introduced following the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Jack Beasley on the Gold Coast in 2019.
It allows police to use metal-detecting wands during operations in Safe Night Precincts, shopping centres and public transport hubs. Officers can also conduct scans aboard public transport.
The scans require no physical contact between police and the person being checked.
What To Look For Next?
Townsville police will continue patrols and wanding operations in public places, entertainment venues and other areas covered by Jack’s Law.
