Northern Territory police will be allowed to use hand-held scanners to stop and search people for knives and other weapons under proposed new laws.

Police will be able to detect, seize and destroy weapons and anyone caught with an illegal item could face a jail term of up to two years.

The amendments stem from the government’s review of bail and weapon laws released on Monday.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said there was no place for knife crime in the territory and no excuses for people who committed knife crimes.

“Police will now have the powers to stop people, search them, and destroy weapons they may be carrying,” Ms Fyles said.

“And if someone uses that weapon in a violent crime, it’s going to be even harder to get bail.”

The government’s review also added axes to the definition of controlled weapons and clarified the definition of a knife to include a machete.

Violent offences involving those weapons will trigger a presumption against bail.

A series of non-legislative changes include training for judges and prosecutors on the potential risks of defendants on bail, strengthening bail support programs and extra resources to ensure a faster resolution of court cases.

Ms Fyles said the legislative changes would be passed by the parliament as a matter of urgency.

– AAP