PLEASE NOTE – Images of knives seized during the operation can be found via Hightail link - https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/MVKCWaFgim
NSW Police have taken more than 90 unlawful weapons off the streets and conducted 34 high-visibility wanding operations in an effort to reduce knife crime.
On 9 December 2024, the NSW Government introduced legislation to target the possession of knives, reduce knife crime and improve the overall safety of the community.
For the past three months, NSW Police officers have carried out Operation Ares, which are high-visibility policing operations in which officers use handheld scanners or electronic metal-detecting 'wands' to detect knives and other weapons.
Under the legislation, a senior police officer of the rank of Assistant Commissioner or above can declare designated places, which gives police the power to scan people for knives or weapons without a warrant in those locations, such as,
- public transport station (including bus, train and tram stations) and surrounds;
- public transport vehicles within two scheduled stops of a designated public transport station;
- shopping precincts;
- certain sporting venues; and
- other public places, designated by regulation, including special events and places that are part of the night-time economy.
There have been 34 operations carried out across the state in Sydney CBD, Liverpool, Campbelltown, Blacktown, Mt Druitt, Parramatta, Newcastle, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Wollongong, Wagga Wagga, Nowra, Bomaderry, Albury and Lavington.
In total, 4147 people have been scanned, with 91 unlawful weapons seized, and 67 people have been charged with 71 weapons offences laid.
Police have seized an array of weapons including Tasers (conducted energy device), sling shots, knuckle dusters, machetes, and folding and kitchen knives.
The Premier of NSW, Chris Minns said that the new legislation is helping police make the community safer.
"The number of weapons that have been seized already is shocking.
"To have taken almost 100 knives and other weapons off our streets is as horrifying as it is important.
"Our tough knife laws are working and getting weapons out of our community.
"The NSW Government and NSW Police are confronting knife crime and sending a strong message that it is not tolerated."
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism said everybody deserved to feel and be safe in public and it's clear that these new laws are making NSW a safer place.
"I want to thank the NSW Police who are working around the clock to seize dangerous weapons and keep our community safe from the devastating effects of knife crime," Minister Catley said.
"There are very few excuses to carry a knife in public – anyone thinking about leaving home with a dangerous weapon should think again.
"The NSW Police are cracking down hard and you will be caught."
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell said the operations had successfully taken knives off the streets and made the community safer.
"During the 34 operations we have not only seized dangerous knives and weapons but we have arrested 67 people with offences and put them before the courts," Deputy Commissioner Thurtell said.
"There are only very few purposes for anyone to have a knife in their possession in public. In most circumstances, it is illegal and will only lead to tragedy and the death of innocent people.
"We want people to feel and be safe while they go about their daily lives at shopping centres or on public transport.
"Our high-visibility operations are designed to send a message to people and deter them from carrying knives and weapons."
Police can request that a person produce a metal object, if detected, while in a designated place and failure to comply may result in a maximum penalty of a fine of $5500.
Penalties of up to $11,000 or imprisonment of up to 4 years can apply for carrying a knife without a reasonable excuse.
The legislation also made it illegal to sell knives to a child under the age of 18, with exemptions for retailers selling to young people who need a knife for their work or study. The penalties for selling knives to juveniles was also increased.
