Cops fear unprovoked attacks on rise after CBD knife arrest
Counter terrorism police are investigating the possible attempted murder of a police officer in Sydney’s CBD by a knife-wielding man who allegedly muttered “Allahu Akhbar” after his arrest.
Central Sydney
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Counter terrorism police are investigating the possible attempted murder of a police officer in Sydney’s CBD by a knife-wielding man who allegedly muttered “Allahu Akhbar” after his arrest.
The senior constable was allegedly slashed in the head and shoulder by the man after he and two colleagues questioned him about harassing a food delivery cyclist in York and Market Streets just after midnight.
Police sources allege the Lakemba man, Frederick Fadi Elrezz, told officers “I wanted to kill the cop” and then said “Allahu Akhbar” while being interviewed.
Senior police say there is nothing in the 32-year-old’s history to suggest radicalism, but they need to investigate his background for any terror links.
“It is routine in something like this,’’ a police source said.
Police retrieved some of Elrezz’ belongings when they searched a York St hostel where he had stayed for the past 10 days and while they found nothing linking him to terrorism, they believe he had some ideological issues.
”But there is no affiliation with terror groups or any evidence he is even religious,’’ he said.
The officers’ body cam vision and audio is also being reviewed.
Elrezz has been charged with attempted murder and police are investigating any other possible motives, including mental health.
Police said the man pulled out a knife and slashed two officers and bit the other on the arm.
“They are lucky to be alive,” assistant commissioner Michael Willing said yesterday.
“It appears to have happened in a flash with the bodycam vision quite confronting and we allege showing the man pulling a knife on the officers.”
The 40-year-old senior constable was left with blood gushing from his head wound and was treated at St Vincent’s Hospital.
A 39-year-old male acting sergeant was treated for a cut on his finger and a knee injury, while the 20-year-old male probationary constable was treated for a bite to his tricep.
The police association and senior police both said anecdotally there appears to be a higher level of violence directed against police.
“It appears the current environment has seen NSW police subjected to higher incidents of assault with increasing levels of violence,‘’ NSW Police Association president Tony King said.
The police association and senior police both said anecdotally there appears to be a higher level of violence directed against police.
“It appears the current environment has seen NSW police subjected to higher incidents of assault with increasing levels of violence,‘’ NSW Police Association president Tony King said.
In another incident yesterday, a man and a woman were charged after allegedly assaulting and spitting on several officers at Lake Macquarie.
Police attached to the Northern Region Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team went to a Whitebridge home yesterday afternoon to speak with a 29-year-old-man wanted on outstanding warrants.
He was found on the footpath allegedly in possession of homemade baton concealed in his pants.
A short time later, a 27-year-old woman was approached by police and after being directed to move on, allegedly punched and assaulted two officers
She faces several charges, including carrying a cutting implement and assaulting an officer causing actual bodily harm.
The man was charged with three outstanding warrants, as well as possessing an offensive implement and resisting an officer as well as domestic violence charges.
In another incident on Wednesday, a man and a woman were charged after allegedly assaulting and spitting on several officers at Lake Macquarie.
Police attached to the Northern Region Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team went to a Whitebridge home yesterday afternoon to speak with a 29-year-old-man wanted on outstanding warrants.
He was found on the footpath allegedly in possession of homemade baton concealed in his pants.
A short time later, a 27-year-old woman was approached by police and after being directed to move on, allegedly punched and assaulted two officers
She faces several charges, including carrying a cutting implement and assaulting an officer causing actual bodily harm.
The man was charged with three outstanding warrants, as well as possessing an offensive implement and resisting an officer as well as domestic violence charges.