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A shopping centre on the NSW Central Coast was plunged into a lockdown on Monday, after a teenage girl produced a knife near a Kmart store. The incident occurred about 12.30pm on Tuesday at a shopping centre in Goobarabah Ave, Lake Haven, with Tuggerah Lakes police rushing to the centre. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: NSW Police called to emergency at Central Coast shopping centre. Stream Sunrise free on 7plus No threat was made to the public. The knife was secured and the girl was then transported to hospital to undergo an assessment. On Tuesday, former NSW Police deputy commissioner Mick Willing appeared on Sunrise, speaking about the incident ahead of NSW Police being granted new "wanding" powers. "There's no excuse for somebody to carry a knife in public unless they have a lawful reason, like employment," Willing said. "There is no reason for somebody to carry a knife for self-defence and those sorts of things. (Incidents involving a knife are) horrific, it is confronting. "We have seen the loss of life which has been absolutely tragic across the country in recent weeks. "We don't want that to continue." His comments come as NSW is set to adopt sweeping powers for police officers under Jack's Law — named for 17-year-old Jack Beasley who was fatally stabbed on the Gold Coast in 2019 — allowing them to "wand" people in particular areas to find knifes being carried in public. Premier Chris Minns said the government would implement the law after a spate of high-profile knife attacks, including at Westfield Bondi Junction, in which six people died. The powers, hailed as a success in Queensland, allow police to use hand-held metal detectors without warrants in designated nightlife precincts and around transit hubs. More than 500 weapons have been taken off the streets since the reforms were introduced in March 2023. "In recent weeks and months, we have all borne witness to the devastating outcomes of knife-related violence," Minns said. "NSW will simply not accept these kinds of crimes." Under the NSW plans revealed on Monday, police will be able to search without a warrant in designated areas, including transport hubs, shopping centres and nightlife and entertainment precincts. The powers can also be used "in circumstances where a relevant weapons offence/knife crime have occurred within the past six months", the government said. The reforms will also make it illegal to sell knives to a child under the age of 18, with exemptions for those who need a knife for work or study. Willing said he was pleased to see Jack's Law being implemented. "Anything we can do to take knives off the street, stop people being injured and in some cases killed, is a positive," he said. — With AAP If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.
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