Western Australia has taken a decisive step in combating knife crime by introducing sweeping new laws that grant police unparalleled powers to search individuals for weapons in public. Touted as the toughest knife laws in Australia, this legislation, modelled on Queensland’s "Jack's Law," is a response to growing public concerns over violent incidents involving edged weapons. Police Minister Paul Papalia has declared these measures a vital tool in protecting community safety, emphasizing the government’s zero-tolerance approach to knife crime. The laws come into effect immediately, signalling a shift in how public spaces in WA are policed.
Under the new legislation, police officers equipped with handheld metal detectors can now scan any individual in public spaces without a warrant or even reasonable suspicion. The government has designated five permanent Protected Entertainment Precincts (PEPs) in popular areas such as Northbridge, Fremantle, Scarborough, Hillarys, and Mandurah. These precincts, often bustling with nightlife and recreational activities, are seen as key locations where such measures can have the greatest impact. Beyond these zones, senior police officers ranked inspector or higher can authorize temporary "wanding" zones for up to 12 hours at locations like train stations, shopping centers, community events, and sporting venues. This ability to rapidly implement scanning zones without prior notice provides WA Police with significant flexibility to address emerging threats or high-risk situations.
The scanning process is described as non-invasive and akin to airport security procedures. Officers will use handheld wands or walk-through detectors to identify metal objects on an individual’s person. If a scan detects a concealed object, police will request the individual to display the item. Refusal to comply triggers serious consequences, including potential arrest, fines of up to $12,000, or a maximum of 12 months in prison. Carrying an edged weapon without a lawful excuse could result in even harsher penalties—up to three years imprisonment and fines of up to $36,000. The definition of "edged weapon" under the law is broad, encompassing not only knives but also machetes, axes, and other sharp tools capable of causing harm. While exceptions exist for lawful use, such as employment, recreation, or collection purposes, self-defense is explicitly excluded as a valid reason for carrying a knife.
Premier Roger Cook has been unequivocal in his support for the laws, asserting that they reflect the government's commitment to making public spaces safer for all Western Australians. “Western Australians have a right to feel safe in public,” he stated, “whether they’re visiting an entertainment area, shopping center, train station, or community event. These proactive laws will give WA Police greater powers to find and seize dangerous weapons. My government’s knife crackdown includes significant jail time for the illegal possession of an edged weapon, and I make no apology for targeting thugs who think it’s okay to be armed in public.”
The new laws are inspired by Queensland’s "Jack’s Law," which was introduced in 2021 following the tragic stabbing death of 17-year-old Jack Beasley in Surfers Paradise. Queensland's experience with similar measures has been instructive for WA. Over a 14-month period, Queensland Police conducted more than 66,000 scans in designated entertainment precincts, resulting in the confiscation of 641 weapons. This equates to finding a weapon in approximately one in every 100 scans. While some view these results as a success, the broader implications of such measures warrant deeper analysis. A review of Queensland’s trial, led by criminologist Dr. Margo van Felius, found that while community perceptions of safety increased, it was difficult to determine whether this was due to the wanding itself or simply the increased police presence in those areas. Dr. van Felius also highlighted concerns about potential overreach and the erosion of civil liberties, noting that such laws inherently involve searching individuals without reasonable suspicion.
Western Australia has sought to address some of these concerns by implementing safeguards to ensure accountability. All interactions during scans will be recorded on police body-worn cameras, providing a clear record of events that can be reviewed if necessary. However, unlike Queensland, WA Police will not collect data on the ethnicity of individuals scanned. Police Minister Paul Papalia defended this decision, arguing that identifying ethnicity is inherently subjective and risks inaccuracies. “This is about protecting the community,” Papalia explained, “not about profiling. If you’re not carrying a weapon, you’ll be on your way after a quick scan.”
Despite these assurances, the legislation raises important questions about the balance between public safety and individual rights. The power to conduct warrantless searches in public spaces represents a significant expansion of police authority, and critics argue that such measures could lead to unintended consequences. One concern is the phenomenon known as "net widening," where individuals are found with minor contraband, such as small quantities of drugs, during searches that were initially intended to detect weapons. This raises the ethical question of whether laws designed to reduce violent crime could inadvertently criminalize individuals for unrelated offenses. Additionally, there are fears that the increased powers may lead to over-policing of marginalized communities, despite safeguards like body-worn cameras.
The legislation also reflects a broader cultural and political response to high-profile incidents of knife crime. In recent years, violent attacks involving edged weapons have captured public attention, both nationally and locally. Cases such as the fatal stabbing of Good Samaritan Petr Levkovskiy in 2022, who was helping a boy recover his stolen bike, have amplified calls for stronger measures to deter knife-carrying. While these incidents are undeniably tragic, statistical data presents a more nuanced picture of knife-related crime in WA. Over the past decade, hospital admissions for knife assaults have been declining. However, ambulance call-outs for stabbing-related incidents, which include self-harm and accidents, have been increasing over the last five years. This dichotomy suggests that while public perception may focus on violent crime, the issue of knife-related harm extends beyond intentional attacks.
For WA Police, the new powers are seen as a critical tool in their arsenal to prevent violence and protect public safety. Metropolitan Regional Commander Dario Bolzonella expressed confidence in the measures, stating that trained officers would use the powers responsibly and effectively. “Our officers are committed to ensuring the safety of the community,” Bolzonella said. “These laws give us the ability to act proactively, removing dangerous weapons before they can be used to cause harm.”
The Cook Government has positioned the legislation as a proactive step toward preventing further tragedies and enhancing community safety. However, the effectiveness of the laws will ultimately depend on how they are implemented and whether they achieve their intended outcomes without disproportionately infringing on individual freedoms. The coming months, particularly the busy Christmas and New Year period, will provide an early test of the legislation’s impact. As officers begin conducting scans in PEPs and other high-traffic areas, the government has pledged to collect detailed data on the number of scans conducted, the weapons detected, and the consequences for those found in violation of the law.
While Western Australia’s new knife laws are intended to deter knife crime and increase community safety, they may inadvertently drive some individuals toward alternatives that exploit gaps in enforcement. The reliance on metal detectors as the primary tool for identifying concealed weapons introduces a critical limitation: the inability to detect non-metallic knives. These knives, made from advanced materials like ceramic, carbon fiber, polymer, and fiberglass-reinforced plastics, are specifically designed for concealment. Lightweight, durable, and impervious to environmental conditions, these covert weapons are difficult to detect and present a significant challenge to the effectiveness of the new laws.
Non-metallic knives are not only undetectable by traditional metal detectors but also easily concealed due to their lightness and flexibility. Many are designed to be taped, tucked, or tied anywhere on a person’s body, making them nearly imperceptible during routine visual checks. Despite their inconspicuous nature, these knives are strong enough to cause severe injury and are increasingly marketed as tools for personal protection. This raises a troubling possibility: individuals who currently carry knives for self-defense, and are now deterred by the heightened risk of detection, may simply switch to carrying covert, non-metallic alternatives.
Under the new legislation, police cannot physically search individuals unless justified by evidence such as a positive detection from a metal scan or observable suspicious behavior. This legal safeguard against invasive searches unintentionally creates an opportunity for individuals to exploit the limitations of the law. Non-metallic knives, which can bypass metal detection entirely, would allow individuals to remain undetected while still carrying a weapon capable of inflicting serious harm.
The availability and marketing of these covert knives compound the issue. With manufacturers openly promoting their imperviousness to detection and their suitability for self-defense in areas monitored by metal detectors, the appeal to those looking to evade the new laws is undeniable. As awareness of the legislation’s enforcement mechanisms grows, it is almost certain that some individuals will adapt by turning to these undetectable alternatives. It is likely only a matter of time before a major violent incident involving a non-metallic knife occurs, forcing the state government to respond by outlawing the sale and possession of these alternative blades.
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