More than 90 people have been charged during a two-day police operation targeting knife crime in Sydney's south-west as part of Operation Saber II.
Officers from all nine commands in the South West Metropolitan Region (SWMR) joined forces with specialist units, including the SWMR Operations Support group (OSG) and High-Visibility Policing Units, Traffic and Highway Patrol, and Police Transport Command, to conduct the proactive high-visibility operation over two nights (Thursday 18 June and Friday 19 June 2020).
South West Metropolitan Region Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Adam Whyte, said the operation aims to make the community safer.
"Operation Saber was initiated by the South West Metropolitan Region in response to a rise in people possessing knives and bladed weapons in public places and committing violent offences," Acting Assistant Commissioner Whyte said.
"We are targeting known violent people within the South West Metropolitan Region."
Operation Saber (I) was first conducted in February over two days (Thursday 6 February and Friday 7 February 2020), when police seized 16 knives, conducted 426 person searches, issued 27 traffic infringements and 142 transport infringements and charged 59 people with offences ranging from stealing motor vehicles to drug possession and possess knife.
During Operation Saber II, police seized 20 knives, conducted 413 person searches, issued 33 traffic infringements and 230 transport infringements and charged 91 people with offences ranging from possession of knife in a public place to breach of bail and drug possession.
Additionally, police conducted 40 bail compliance checks.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Whyte said he was pleased with the results of Operation Saber II.
"We continue to see great work from all police in the South West Metropolitan Region, with positive results from the operation and support from the community."
"Operation Saber is an ongoing operation which will continue to target known locations and people who possess weapons or commit acts of violence."
"We won't tolerate violent or predatory behaviour in the community and police will actively engage and arrest people who possess weapons in public places."
Anyone with information about knife crime is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
