The Hon. Kate Worden, Minister for Police (NT), Media Release, 3 October 2023

Stronger powers to allow NT Police to stop and search individuals for knives and other dangerous weapons are now in operation in the Northern Territory.

Earlier this year, the Territory Labor Government strengthened the Police Legislation Further Amendment Bill 2023 to allow our Police to use hand-held scanners to detect concealed weapons.

The stronger powers will remove dangerous weapons from our community and keep Territorians safe.

NT Police began using hand-held scanning devices in Alice Springs and Katherine last week and now operations have begun in Darwin.

So far the operations have removed an axe during searches in Alice Springs and multiple pairs of scissors in Katherine.

NT Police have conducted hand-held scanning operations around Darwin beginning last week.

During the operations across the Territory 399 people have been scanned with 12 weapons detected.

Quotes Attributable to Minister for Police Kate Worden

“This legislation was introduced to keep Territorians safe and we are now seeing the positive impact the hand-held scanners are having.

“The removal of the dangerous weapons is a positive for our community. We listened to the concerns of the community and strengthened the legislation to allow police to prevent and respond to knife crime.”