A 16-year-old boy will be proceeded against under the Youth Justice Act after police seized a machete in Sandy Bay on Friday night, according to a statement from Tasmania Police.
Officers were conducting high-visibility patrols in the area on 26 June 2026 when they stopped and searched the youth. Tasmania Police said the search was conducted using handheld metal detection wands, which indicated a concealed metal object was present. A machete was then located and seized.
The incident is a notable use of new powers granted to police under legislation known as “Reid’s Law,” which came into effect in 2025. These laws allow police to use metal-detecting wands to search people for concealed weapons in designated public places or when they have reasonable suspicion.
In a statement, Sergeant Nick Grubb said the seizure highlighted the effectiveness of proactive policing and the new technology. “The use of metal detection wands provides our officers with an additional tool to identify dangerous weapons and help keep our community safe,” Sergeant Grubb said. “Carrying weapons in public places is unacceptable and Tasmania Police will continue to conduct proactive patrols to detect and prevent this type of offending.”
The laws were named for Reid Ludwig, a father of two who was fatally stabbed in Blackmans Bay in 2019. Since the wanding powers were introduced in November 2025, Tasmania Police have seized 82 weapons during more than 8,000 searches, according to a statement from the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, in May 2026.
The seizure comes amid ongoing community concern about youth crime, which a recent Tasmania Police survey identified as the top safety concern for residents. In recent months, police have reported several incidents involving young people in the greater Hobart area, including Sandy Bay. In March 2026, police charged a 14-year-old girl in relation to an alleged seven-week crime spree across multiple suburbs, including Sandy Bay. In November 2024, police charged four youths in relation to a series of shop stealings across the city, with Sandy Bay listed as one of the locations.
The state government has said it is taking a multi-faceted approach to the issue, which includes the new police powers and investment in programs aimed at prevention and diversion under its Youth Justice Blueprint.
Police have stated that the 16-year-old involved in the Friday incident will be dealt with for weapon offences. As the matter involves a youth and is yet to be heard, he cannot be identified, and he is presumed innocent of any charge unless found otherwise by a court.