The New South Wales Government has introduced legislation to make police knife-wanding powers permanent, with shopping centres and major entertainment venues set to benefit from expanded coverage under the reforms.
The laws, which formalise powers first introduced on a trial basis in 2024, allow police to declare certain public areas as "designated areas" where officers can stop and scan individuals using handheld metal-detecting scanners. The move follows a statutory review of the trial and a recommendation from the Bondi Junction Coronial Inquest.
Under the changes, declarations can now be made for up to 24 hours, doubled from the previous 12-hour limit. Major entertainment venues will also be eligible for designation alongside existing categories that include shopping precincts, public transport stations and sporting venues.
Since operations began under the scheme, police have conducted 59,228 scans, run 406 wanding operations across NSW, seized 380 weapons and laid 200 charges for weapons offences. Since April 2023, the NSW Police Force has removed more than 15,000 knives from public places.
The Shopping Centre Council of Australia welcomed the announcement, with chief executive Angus Nardi describing the move as an important step in improving community safety.
"These powers have proven effective in removing dangerous weapons from crowded places, such as shopping centres, and their continuation will help ensure places such as shopping centres remain safe and welcoming destinations for the millions of people who visit them every week," Nardi said.
The SCCA also noted the reforms expand on the NSW Retail Crime Strategy launched in October last year, which included the statewide rollout of Operation Percentile targeting repeat and high-harm offenders.
The legislation complements existing measures including doubled maximum penalties for knife crime — from two to four years' imprisonment — and restrictions on the sale of knives to those aged 16 and 17.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said the move backs police with stronger, permanent powers to take dangerous weapons off NSW streets and keeping the community safe.
“We have seen too many families’ lives torn apart from senseless knife attacks, our thoughts are with the Beasleys, the Toughers and anyone impacted by the Bondi Junction attack,” Catley said.
“Police have already seized hundreds of weapons under these laws. Every weapon taken off the street is a potential tragedy prevented and a potential life saved.”