A major police operation across NSW has resulted in the seizure of knives and other offences being detected.
Operation Foil ran from 1pm Thursday 4 July 2024 until 2am Saturday 6 July 2024, and saw more than 700 officers from every Police Area Command and Police District in NSW, assisted by specialist officers from Youth Command, Police Transport and Public Safety Command and Traffic and Highway Patrol Command target knife crime and anti-social behaviour.
During the high visibility operation 72 knives / weapons were seized with more than 165 people charged with weapon related offences, including seizure of a firearm.
Additionally, police detected a number of breaches, including:
- 52 people arrested over outstanding warrants
- 165 x drug detections
- 695 x Traffic Infringement Notices issued
- 410 x Rail Infringement Notices issued
Police also performed almost 3600 random breath tests and 570 bail compliance checks.
Detective Inspector Guy Magee, Operations Manager North-West Metropolitan Region said the aim of Operation Foil was to remove weapons from the streets and make the community safer.
"Operation Foil was established to get these weapons out of the hands of individuals who may potentially use them to target other people," said Detective Inspector Magee.
"Knife crime is an issue across the state and can change lives in an instant, which is why police will continue to proactively target and arrest anyone who poses a threat to the safety of the community."
Operation Pivot was also run in conjunction with Operation Foil, from Monday 1 July 2024 until Friday 5 July 2024, and saw officers visit 138 schools in metropolitan and regional areas and speak with students.
Superintendent Samuel Crisafulli, Youth Command, said Operation Pivot is an initiative which aims to reduce crime through early intervention and engagement with young people.
"We're trying to urge young people to think about the potential consequences of their actions, as one wrong decision can dramatically change your life," Superintendent Crisafulli said.
"Since it began in 2021, Operation Pivot has seen police engage with more than 4,000 at risk youths across NSW, and deliver anti-violence presentations to 1,287 schools, educating 206,765 students."
Incidents of note include:
- About 10:20pm Thursday (4 July 2024), officers attached to Central West Police District were patrolling Warrendine Street, Orange, when they allegedly observed a member of the group try the door handles of a parked car.
When police approached the group they ran off and a short pursuit occurred, before the three teenagers, aged 14, 15 and 19 were arrested in nearby bushes. A 13cm knife was allegedly found at the centre of the group.
During a search of the 14-year-old, officers allegedly found a shotgun shell.
All three were taken to Orange Police Station, with the 15 and 19-year-olds charged with custody of knife in public place and possess housebreaking implements.
The 14-year-old was charged with custody of knife in public place, possess housebreaking implements, possess ammunition w/o holding licence/permit/authority, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle).
All three appeared in court on Friday 5 July 2024.
The 14 and 15-year-olds were given conditional bail to appear before a Childrens Court on Thursday 18 July 2024.
The 19-year-old was given conditional bail to appear before Orange Local Court on Thursday 18 July 2024.
- About 10:15am Thursday (4 July 2024), police were called to Wollongong Railway Station, following reports of male armed with a weapon.
Officers attached to Wollongong Police District attended and found an 18-year-old man allegedly threatening members of the public with a machete.
The 18-year-old man was arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station, where he allegedly assaulted three officers.
He was charged with carry knife visible in public place-cause fear for safety, wilfully interfere with comfort or safety of others, go onto or into or remain on or in running lines, two counts of assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm, two counts of attempt stalk/intimidate intend fear of harm (personal).
He appeared in Wollongong Local Court on Friday 5 July and was refused bail to reappear in Wollongong Local Court on Monday 8 July 2024.
- About 8:05pm Thursday (4 July 2024), police were patrolling a shopping centre on Wyong Road, Tuggerah, when they observed an alleged assault involving two males.
Officers arrested two 17-year-old males.
Police were told one of the males had allegedly discarded a knife. Following a brief search, officers located a knife nearby.
During a search of the other 17-year-old police allegedly located a knife.
Both teenagers were taken to Wyong Police Station.
One 17-year-old was dealt with under the Young Offenders Act, and the other was charged with affray and custody of knife in public place.
He was given conditional bail to appear in a Childrens Court on Tuesday 13 August 2024.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
