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Tasmania Police will commence a trial of wands to conduct searches for knives as the Tasmanian Liberal Government cracks down on knife crime.

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, said the trial enabling the use of metal detection wands will help keep Tasmanians safe and advance the Government’s tough on crime agenda.

The trial – which will be conducted over the Christmas holiday period – allows police to conduct non-invasive searches for knives and other weapons in key areas, such as retail and night precincts and on public transport.

It follows the conclusion of the consultation period for the Government’s Police Offences (Hooning and Knife Crime) Amendment Bill which strengthens police powers to tackle knife crime.

“The community expects action on knife crime, and this trial – together with our legislative reforms – will achieve that,” Minister Ellis said.

“Our Bill will deliver greater penalties for offenders carrying weapons in public and stronger police search powers if they have a reasonable suspicion a person may be in possession of a dangerous article.

“The Hooning and Knife Crime Bill is about keeping the community safe and giving police the powers they need to stop threats to our community on our roads and in our streets.

“As part of the consultation period, which closed on 27 October, we have been engaging with stakeholders such as Ms Laraine Ludwig and the Jack Beasley Foundation to expand even further police powers for knife searches.

“I am confident that the implementation of wands and greater search powers will reduce the scourge of knife crime in Tasmania.

“I thank Ms Ludwig for her advocacy as we worked to implement the use of wands. In Tasmania we will have Reid’s Law, in honour of her son, to keep Tasmanians safe. We also pay tribute to Jack Beasley’s family who have led the way with Jack’s Law in Queensland.”

The new legislation will be introduced into Parliament at the start of the next Parliamentary year.

Minister Ellis said he welcomes Labor’s new bipartisan support for the Government’s tough on crime agenda, following its previous opposition to expanded police powers.

“We hope it will continue with our Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme Bill and other legislation to crack down on those who would threaten the safety of Tasmanians.”