Police have swarmed a Gold Coast suburb for the first time for a high-visibility wanding operation following the expansion of Jack’s Law.

The laws, named in honour of murdered Gold Coast teen Jack Beasley, became permanent on Friday.

The expanded powers allow Police to search people for dangerous weapons in more places beyond designated Safe Night Precincts.

On Friday night, officers hit Burleigh Heads, where locals have become increasingly worried about a rise in anti-social behaviour and alcohol-fuelled crime.

A total of 135 people were wanded during the five-hour operation, with officers locating one knife.

Superintendent Brett Jackson says while that discovery is unfortunate, the operation was well received.

“Just the public’s perception and feeling of safety from the wanding operation was very, very positive,” Superintendent Jackson told the ABC.

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We had a lot of tourists that we saw that were thinking ‘hey this is fantastic’. They felt safe after being wanded knowing the fact they could go about their night knowing that everyone in and around them isn’t carrying a weapon.”

Officers were accompanied by Jack’s parents during Friday’s operation, praising the expanded powers.

It’s saving lives. It’s a no-brainer. It should be Australia-wide as far as I’m concerned,” Jack’s dad Brett said.

It comes as new figures show that the Gold Coast remains a problem for weapons.

In the first three months of this year, more than 12,400 people were wanded by Police across the state.

Surfers Paradise recorded the highest number of weapons in the state, with 27 detected across the Safe Night Precinct.

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Broadbeach South Light Rail station had the second highest number in the state with 13.

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