Yasmin Catley: Bring guns to our streets, expect a small cell waiting for you

NSW will not let violent criminals terrorise our streets. We are sending a clear message: if you choose to bring guns into our suburbs, you will be hunted down, arrested and spend a long time behind bars, writes Yasmin Catley.

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley is warning criminals they will be hunted down and thrown in jail if they terrorise our streets. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

The recent rise in gun violence across Sydney is nothing short of horrifying. Families, children and entire communities have been left shaken, and when innocent people are caught in the crossfire, it’s absolutely unacceptable.

That’s why the NSW Government and NSW Police acted decisively. In May, we launched Taskforce Falcon, a major, high-impact policing operation targeting the surge in gang-related gun crime. It brings together more than 150 specialist officers across the State Crime Command, Raptor Squad and frontline police to identify, track and arrest the criminals driving this violence.

It’s already working.

In just two months, Taskforce Falcon has led to 72 arrests and 188 charges, with police seizing firearms, drugs, cash and vehicles linked to organised crime. Police intelligence has connected many of these incidents to longstanding gang rivalries and criminal networks that stretch across state borders.

NSW Police are doing everything possible to keep our communities safe. The Government is backing them with strong laws, new powers to scan for weapons in public, and expanded youth justice programs that focus on prevention as well as enforcement.

Under the Minns Labor Government, we’ve delivered the largest student police class in over a decade with more than 300 probationary constables joining the ranks, implemented historic pay increases for officers, and delivered critical new infrastructure including upgraded police stations and fleet. We’ve introduced tougher bail laws, established the Domestic Violence Registry, and expanded the reach of operations like Strike Force Pearl to combat serious and organised crime.

We understand the fear these incidents have caused, but the public should be assured that the NSW Police are relentless in their pursuit, having already levelled charges in relation to 21 of the 26 organised crime murders since 2021.

We will continue to give NSW Police the tools and support they need to shut these networks down because public safety is our top priority.

We will not stand by while violent criminals terrorise our streets. We are sending a clear message: if you choose to bring guns into our suburbs, you will be hunted down, arrested and spend a long time behind bars.

Originally published as Yasmin Catley: Bring guns to our streets, expect a small cell waiting for you