A year after WA Police were given powers to search for weapons, how effective has it been?
A meat cleaver in a homemade sheath – a machete, a handle wrapped in an Australian flag and a tree axe; These are some of the confronting weapons once hidden in bags and pockets on WA’s streets that have been taken away since new roaming laws came into force 12 months ago.
According to the latest statistics, WA Police carried out 102,034 metal detector sweeps across WA and uncovered 228 edged weapons.
The legislation is modeled on Queensland’s “jacks bill”, which was introduced after teenager Jack Beasley was stabbed to death during a night out on the Gold Coast in 2019.
This gives police the power to use metal detectors on people in Protected Entertainment Zones from Hillarys to Mandurah.
Senior officers can also declare temporary screening zones in any public place.
Police Minister Reece Whitby said statistics showed the laws were successful.
“They give the police the ability to simply hang someone and if they’re armed, they’re gone.” he said.
WA’s secret weapons hotspot – Perth party district – 46,055 sweeps were carried out and 135 edged weapons were uncovered.
Looking at some of the weapons seized at Perth Police Station, WA Police Acting Senior Sergeant Dave Ball said it “becomes disbelieving that we have a party area and people are coming into this area armed with weapons like this.”
Whitby said while gun carrying was an issue, people in Perth had reason to feel safe, with only a small number of customers carrying edged weapons with them.
“102 thousand scans were carried out and 228 weapons were seized,” he said.
“The vast majority of people we see in the city are not armed or carrying weapons.”
EDGE WEAPON SCREENINGS IN 2025
- NORTH BRIDGE: 46.055
- FREMANTLE: 14.999
- SCARBOROUGH: 11,021
- Hillarys: 4,153
- MANDURAH: 8,068
OTHER AREAS: 17, 738
As a result of the searches, 1,926 charges were laid across WA; most of these were for gun or drug possession.
Senior Sergeant Dave Ball said the scans were successful.
“The public has been extremely understanding and we have almost no problems,” he said.
Last year, only 14 people were charged with failing to comply with screenings.
As the party season continues in full swing, police have warned that the number of patrols will be increased to ensure everyone can celebrate safely.
“We promote community safety; we want individuals who come to the party area legally to feel safe,” Ball said.
via 9 News Perth.
