Knives, machete seized during NSW Police operation targeting knife crime

An 18-year-old Wollongong man who allegedly threatened members of the public with a machete is among 165 people charged during a statewide blitz on knife crime over the weekend.

Police have seized 72 knives and charged more than 165 people as part of a major crackdown across the state.

The three-day blitz saw more than 700 officers from every Police Area Command across the state combine to target knife crime and anti-social behaviour under Operation Foil.

Police also detected several breaches including 52 arrested over outstanding warrants, 165 drug detections, 695 traffic infringement notices and 410 rail infringement notices.

Officers also performed almost 3600 random breath tests and 570 bail compliance checks.

Teens armed with knives and machetes and involved in assaults were among the arrests.

More than 70 knives were seized during the crackdown. File picture, NCA NewsWire Christian Gilles

In the state’s south, an 18-year-old man was arrested after allegedly threatening members of the public with a machete at Wollongong train station.

The teenager was taken to Wollongong Police Station on Thursday where he allegedly assaulted three officers.

He was charged with carrying a knife visible in a 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 and was refused bail to reappear in Wollongong Local Court on Monday.

Officers from every area command in NSW combined to target knife crime.

Police were patrolling Warrendine St in Orange on Thursday when they spotted a group trying to open parked cars.

The group fled as officers approached them, leading to a short foot pursuit.

Three teens, aged 14, 15 and 19 were arrested in the nearby bushes after police allegedly found a 13cm knife 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).

After appearing in court, the 14 and 15-year-olds were given conditional bail to appear before a Children’s Court on July 18.

The 19-year-old was given conditional bail to appear before Orange Local Court on July 18.

Police also arrested two teens in a shopping centre in Tuggerah after they observed an assault on Thursday.

After searching the two 17-year-old males, police were told one of them allegedly discarded a knife.

Following a search police found the knife, and during a search of the other teen police allegedly located another 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 Children’s Court on August 13.

Detective Inspector Guy Magee. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Hannah Moore

Detective Inspector Guy Magee 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.”

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.

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