Police have seized four knives in a week as part of increased wanding operations across the Sunshine Coast.
Around 9.45am on March 17, officers wanded a 51-year-old Maroochydore man during patrols at a shopping centre on Horton Parade, locating three pocket knives. The knives were seized and the man was issued an adult caution.
In a separate incident, police were called to a bus stop on Horton Parade about 2.10pm on March 23 following reports a man was creating a public nuisance. The man was arrested and searched, and officers will allege they located a large knife in his bag.
A 33-year-old Mica Creek man was charged with possessing a knife in a public place and commit public nuisance. He is due to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on April 23.
Maroochydore Station officer in charge Senior Sergeant Jacob Flaherty said the community could expect to see officers frequently conducting proactive wanding operations to keep weapons off the streets.
“The seizure of four knives in a single week shows the commitment of Maroochydore police officers, reflecting their proactive efforts in crime prevention and community safety,” he said.
Officers are leveraging Jack’s Law, which empowers police to use handheld metal detectors to search for dangerous items in designated public areas, to mitigate risks and boost safety.
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“Police are focusing their wanding efforts on locations where individuals are known to congregate, including Safe Night Precincts, shopping centres, transport hubs, and other high-traffic areas,” Senior Sergeant Flaherty said.
“This legislation not only enables officers to detect and prevent the possession of dangerous items but also fosters a visible police presence, which can act as a deterrent to criminal activity.”
Police will continue to conduct regular wanding operations across the Sunshine Coast District as part of ongoing efforts to prevent knife-related crime and enhance community safety.
