More than 50 people have been charged, and 15 knives seized, during a two-day proactive operation targeting knife crime, assault and weapons offences across Sydney's south-west.
Operation Saber III saw officers from all nine commands and specialist units in the South West Metropolitan Region, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, and Police Transport Command deployed across Sydney's south-west on Thursday (8 October 2020) and Friday (9 October 2020).
During the high-visibility operation, police charged 57 people for more than 60 offences, including knife, weapons, traffic and drug offences. Police also seized 15 knives and issued 183 infringement notices as well as issued 202 move-on directions.
Incidents of note during the operation include:
- About 5.15pm on Friday (9 October 2020), officers were patrolling the Heckenberg area, when they stopped a Nissan Pulsar for a random breath test on Jagungal Place. The driver, a 19-year-old man, allegedly tried to hide a black bag before subsequent checks revealed he was disqualified from driving. During a search of the vehicle, officers seized resealable bags of cocaine, a mobile phone and $700 in cash in a black bag. The man was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station, where he was charged with drive while licence application refused, supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, deal with property proceeds of crime, and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen. The Lurnea man was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Local Court yesterday (Saturday 10 October 2020), where he was formally granted bail to next appear at Liverpool Local Court on Friday 23 October 2020.
- About 3pm on Friday (9 October 2020), a 30-year-old man was stopped at Warwick Farm Railway Station for not wearing a helmet. Subsequent checks reveal the man was wanted for stealing offences. The man was searched and found to be in possession of a knife. He was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station, where he was issued a Court Attendance Notice knife and helmet offences. He is due to appear before Liverpool Local Court on Monday 16 November 2020. Inquiries are continuing.
- A disqualified driver allegedly travelling in an unregistered vehicle has been charged following a vehicle stop on Parliament Road, Macquarie Fields, about 2.30pm on Friday (9 October 2020). Police will allege the 18-year-old woman is disqualified from driving until 2021. During a search of her vehicle, police seized GHB. She was arrested and taken to Campbelltown Police Station, where she was charged with drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, use unregistered vehicle on road, possess prohibited drug, and an outstanding warrant. The Macquarie Fields woman was refused bail and appeared before Parramatta Local Court yesterday (Saturday 10 October 2020), where she was formally granted bail to appear Campbelltown Local Court on Monday 19 October 2020.
- A Learner driver has been charged and fined after she was allegedly detected driving while unaccompanied twice in Campbelltown on Friday (9 October 2020). About 3.20pm, a Volkswagen Golf hatchback was stopped on Bradbury Avenue, Campbelltown, and officers spoke with the driver, a 17-year-old girl. She produced a Learners driver licence; however, was not accompanied by another driver and did not display any L plates. She was issued infringement notices for Learner not accompanied by licensed driver/police officer or tester, and Learner driver not display L plates as prescribed. She also had her licence suspended on the spot and was told not to drive. A short time later, she was stopped again and issued another infringement notice for use unregistered registrable vehicle on road and use uninsured motor vehicle. The girl was also issued a Court Attendance Notice for driving while suspended and is due to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on Tuesday 27 October 2020.
- About 12.30pm on Friday (9 October 2020), officers were called to Wonga Street, Lurnea, following reports a man was threatening people with an axe. A 28-year-old man was arrested at the scene and an axe seized from a nearby home. He was taken to Liverpool Police Station, where he was charged with use offensive weapon with intent to commit indictable offence. He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday 28 October 2020.
South West Metropolitan Region Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Gavin Wood, said there had been three Operation Saber deployments this year and more planned for the future.
"Our three deployments for Operation Saber have seen 207 people charged over a variety of offences – including weapons, assaults and drug offences – and our hardworking officers have taken 56 knives off the streets before they could harm someone," A/Assistant Commissioner Wood said.
"This operation is intelligence-driven – we're targeting people known to arm themselves with knives and other weapons and who seek to threaten and harm others in the community.
"Our message to them is simple – violence will not be tolerated by the community or by the NSW Police Force. Public safety is our priority and our officers will continue to target and disrupt criminal activity, especially from known offenders, before any further harm can be done to the community."
Anyone with information about knife-crime or weapons offences are urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
