What’s happening?
Police are continuing Jack’s Law wanding operations across the Mackay Whitsunday District as part of efforts to reduce unlawful weapon possession.
Officers have been using handheld metal detecting wands in busy public areas, including Safe Night Precincts, shopping centres, public transport hubs and community events. The operations have also extended to licensed venues, where police say the focus is on preventing harm before it occurs.
Between 17 and 21 June, officers carried out high-visibility patrols across Mackay. These patrols included licensed premises, community spaces and other public areas, alongside wanding activities and static random breath test sites.
Why it matters?
Jack’s Law gives Queensland Police Service authority to conduct handheld metal detection operations across public spaces in Queensland.
Police say the legislation is helping officers identify and remove weapons from places where people gather, including entertainment areas and community venues.
Mackay Whitsunday District Superintendent Dean Cavanagh said police would continue to detect, deter and disrupt knife crime across local public spaces.
“Through ongoing proactive patrols, we are removing weapons from our community that have the potential to cause harm,” Superintendent Cavanagh said.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe and enjoy public spaces and venues, and operations under Jack’s Law are pivotal to protecting our community.”
Local Impact
The latest operation placed officers across key Mackay locations during a busy period for licensed venues and community activity.
Police engaged with more than 40 licensed venues as part of the operation. They also combined wanding with random breath testing, giving officers a wider presence across public areas.
On 19 June, police allegedly located a knife on a 44-year-old Bakers Creek woman inside a licensed premises in Mackay Harbour.
She was issued with an adult caution for one count of possession of a knife in a public place.
By the numbers
- Since 17 July 2025, police have scanned 6,706 people across the Mackay Whitsunday District under Jack’s Law.
- Those scans have led to 14 weapons being seized, showing the ongoing focus on unlawful weapon possession.
- During the 17 to 21 June operation, officers scanned 157 people and seized two knives.
- Police also conducted more than 1,226 random breath tests, with three people returning a positive result.
Zoom In
The June patrols show how Jack’s Law operations are being used across different parts of Mackay’s public life.
Rather than being limited to one area, police have carried out wanding in entertainment precincts, shopping areas, transport hubs and community events.
Police also work with relevant stakeholders before wanding operations take place. This includes co-operation with business owners and other local groups.
Zoom Out
Jack’s Law was expanded last year to give police broader powers to conduct knife wanding across Queensland.
For Mackay Whitsunday, the figures show the legislation has become part of regular policing across public spaces.
The local approach is not only about responding to incidents. It is also about reducing the chance of weapons being carried into venues, events and shared community areas.
What To Look For Next?
Wanding operations are set to remain part of regular policing across Mackay Whitsunday. Future patrols may continue around venues, events and other public areas where police believe weapons could pose a risk.
