It’s a progression that has been welcomed by representatives from the retail industry. The laws formalise a 2024 trial, allowing police to designate areas where individuals may be scanned with handheld metal-detecting wands. Shopping centres and major entertainment venues are included under the expanded declaration powers, which can now remain in force for up to 24 hours.
Since the scheme began, police have conducted 59,228 scans across 406 operations, seizing 380 weapons and filing 200 weapons offence charges.
More than 15,000 knives have been removed from public places since April 2023. Angus Nardi, executive director of the Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA), described the legislation as an important measure to improve community safety.
"These powers have proven effective in removing dangerous weapons from crowded places, such as shopping centres," he said.
"Their continuation will help ensure these venues remain safe and welcoming destinations for the millions who visit each week."
The SCCA noted that these reforms build on last year's NSW Retail Crime Strategy, which included the statewide rollout of Operation Percentile targeting repeat and serious offenders.
Yasmin Catley, minister for police and counter-terrorism, stated that the legislation gives police stronger, permanent powers to remove weapons from NSW streets.
"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," she said.
The changes follow a statutory review of the former knife-wanding trial and a recommendation from the Bondi Junction Coronial Inquest.
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