A grassroots crowdfunding effort has provided Tasmania Police with additional knife-detecting wands, bolstering the state’s ongoing battle against knife crime.
Knife crime reform advocate Laraine Ludwig handed over four metal detection wands to the Kingston police station on Friday, following a community-led campaign to support frontline officers.
“This is about supporting police and protecting the community,” Ludwig said.
“These wands are non-invasive, quick to use and proven to work.”
Ludwig, whose son Reid was killed in a knife attack in 2019, launched the fundraising initiative after a young man was fatally stabbed near Salamanca Place in October.
The donation comes after Tasmania Police completed a statewide rollout of more than 300 metal-detecting wands, which have been deployed across shopping centres, nightlife precincts and public transport hubs.
Since mid-June, officers have conducted more than 820 searches using the technology, seizing 29 weapons and charging 20 people.
A four-month trial earlier this year demonstrated the effectiveness of the approach, with one in four of the 213 trial searches resulting in a weapon seizure.
“That is 54 potential acts of violence prevented and 54 opportunities for lives to be saved,” Ludwig said.
The rollout of the metal-detecting wands had been delayed by funding issues after the failure of a state budget containing a $3.7 million allocation for the program.
Launceston Inspector Aleena Crack said the wands would be used primarily in city areas but would also be available to specialist units and country stations.
“Knives are the most common weapon used in crimes in Tasmania,” she said.
“Using wand technology allows police to conduct searches more efficiently and with greater safety for both our officers and the public.”
