Thirteen people will face more than 30 charges between them under Operation Soteria during a three-day surge operation in the state's west.
Operation Soteria is a strategic initiative focusing on aggravated break, enter and steal offences, stealing motor vehicles, and 'post and boast' offences where social media is used to gain notoriety.
The three-day operation, which included officers from Oxley Police District, Traffic and Highway Patrol and the Youth Command, ran between Thursday 28 August 2025 and Saturday 30 August 2025, with a focus on Tamworth.
During the operation, officers conducted 33 bail compliance and apprehended domestic violence order checks and 20 person searches.
Youth Command engaged with 11 known youth, patrolled 11 schools, facilitated the 'Fit for Life' program in Tamworth, which was coupled with the Young Drivers expo, where 28 schools participated with 1200 youth attending over the two days.
Additionally, Traffic and Highway patrol conducted 320 stationary and mobile breath tests, issued 57 traffic infringements, and conducted 47 random drug tests with 16 of those returning positive tests.
Of note, on Thursday 28 August 2025, a 21-year-old man was charged with four offences,
- Contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (Domestic)
- Destroy or damage property (DV)
- Two counts of common assault (DV), and
- Intentionally choke etc person without consent.
He was granted conditional bail to reappear before the before the Tamworth Local Court on Monday 22 September 2025.
Also on Thursday 28 August 2025, a 20-year-old man was arrested and charged with five outstanding arrest warrants relating to alleged damage property offences.
He appeared in Local Bail Division – Court 5 on Friday 29 August 2025 where his bail was refused.
On Friday 29 August 2025, a 48-year-old man was charged with five offences,
- Police pursuit - not stop - drive recklessly
- Possess prohibited drug
- Use vehicle in contravention of major defect notice
- Drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, and
- Fail or refuse to comply with prohibition or requirement.
His bail was refused and he will appear before the Parramatta Bail Court today (Sunday 31 August 2025).
Also on Friday 29 August 2025, following a vehicle stop, a 23-year-old man was arrested and charged with four offences,
- Recklessly deal with proceeds of crime less than $5000
- Possess or attempt to, prescribed restricted substance
- Supply prohibited drug less than small and less than indictable quantity, and
- Possess explosive in public place.
Police subsequently executed a search warrant at an address on Yarmouth Parade, Oxley Vale, where officers located and seized $17,000 cash, a prohibited weapon, and prohibited drugs.
The man received conditional bail to reappear before the Tamworth Local Court on Monday 22 September 2025.
A further 13 people were issued with court attendance notices for 20 offences.
Inquiries under Operation Soteria continue.
