WA police scan 327 shoppers for weapons, charge two under new knife laws
Police scanned 327 people with metal detectors at a Perth shopping centre. Two weapon charges were laid under WA's 2024 knife laws.
Wanneroo police conducted a metal-detector scanning operation at a shopping centre. They checked 327 shoppers over four hours on October 29.
Two charges were laid in the operation. The operation was part of Western Australia's 2024 knife and edged weapon law reforms.
These reforms allow hand-held scanning without touching people at chosen areas. Carrying an edged weapon without lawful excuse carries a maximum penalty of three years in jail or a $36,000 fine.
Community reaction split: some praised the visible security, while others raised privacy concerns.
- 327 shoppers
- People scanned
- 3 years jail or $36,000 fine
- Maximum penalty
- December 2024
- Law reform date
Why it mattersWA's new approach to weapon detection signals a tougher stance. Scanning operations may expand to more public locations. This will change how people move through shared spaces.
AustraliaWestern Australian shoppers and the public may see more weapon scanning operations rolled out to other designated areas as the state enforces its new knife laws.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
