Queensland Premier Steven Miles has released a Community Safety Plan, which includes expanded use of metal detecting wands by police in certain areas, including shopping centres and “high risk” retail outlets.
Backed by $1.28 billion in additional investment from the Queensland Government, the plan builds on measures that have reportedly reduced offending - such as theft and assault - in the first quarter of this year.
A key area of change is the expansion of Jack's Law to enable metal detecting wands to be used in additional locations throughout the state, which also includes licensed premises and sporting and entertainment venues, and extending the trial to October 2026.
Currently police are using 1,594 wands in Queensland, with the plan adding an additional 3,000 wands so that all of Queensland’s police stations are equipped.
Additionally, 1000 state-of-the-art tasers will be delivered to the front line through an $8.5 million investment to assist police in detecting and responding to dangerous and criminal activity.
It comes as Queensland Police grew its force by 900 personnel.
“Queensland is the place for opportunity and for aspiration, a place for industries of the future to foster and where anyone who wants a job can get a job,” Miles said.
“Crime and its causes are complex – often stemming from experiences of domestic violence, homelessness, disengagement from education, poor mental health and lack of family support.
“My government’s Community Safety Plan for Queensland is about delivering the evidence-based prevention and intervention services to prevent crime from occurring, while giving police the tools and laws they need to track and detain offenders.
Miles reported that the initiatives so far habe driven down overall offences by young people by 10.7 per cent this year.
“While we know there will always be some level of crime, it’s our jobs as a government to put the plans in place to respond quickly and support those victims.”
The Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA) welcomed the release of the Community Safety Plan, adding that the peak body has been working with the Queensland Government on community safety and security issues.
SCCA CEO Angus Nardi particularly welcomed the proposed expansion of Jack's Law regarding metal-detecting wands use.
“Our top priority is ensuring the community’s safety within shopping centres,” Nardi said.
“Dangerous weapons such as knives have increasingly been found in concealed locations at shopping centres, alongside the increased use of knives in incidences.
“We commend Police Minister Mark Ryan, the Queensland Police Service and Government for their engagement with our industry, and we will continue to work constructively to help ensure community safety and reduce retail and youth crime.”
SCCA expects further ongoing discussions with the government to tackle retail and youth crime.
The plan also highlighted that of the young people involved in the youth justice system, 53 per cent are impacted by domestic and family violence and 48 per cent are not enrolled in education or in training or in employment.
Meanwhile, 38 per cent of youth in custody have used ice or methamphetamine in the past.
It comes two years after the Queensland Government announced the investment of $19.8 million in new and replacement body-worn cameras and tasers. It is now replacing the entire fleet of 5,400 tasers and increasing body-worn cameras from 7,700 to 12,200.