A knife and scissors were seized during a high-visibility police operation in Lake Macquarie yesterday under Operation Ares.
Operation Ares is a high visibility operation where officers use handheld scanners, or electronic metal-detecting 'wands', to detect and reduce knife crime.
On Thursday 4 September 2025, police attached to Lake Macquarie Police District – assisted by Police Transport Command North Central and Youth Command – conducted the handheld scanning operation at several areas across Lake Macquarie.
During the operation, 130 people were stopped and scanned by the officers.
As a result of the operation,
- a knife and scissors were detected and seized,
- a man was arrested and charged,
- a man will be issued a future court attendance notice,
- a teenager was dealt with under the Young Offenders Act, and
- eight people were issued move on directions.
Incidents of note include:
- About 12.45pm yesterday (Thursday 4 September 2025), police involved in the operation responded to a fast-food restaurant on the Pacific Highway, Belmont, where they spoke to a 16-year-old boy. Following inquires, the boy allegedly produced a folding knife which was seized by police. He will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.
- About 1pm yesterday (Thursday 4 September 2025), a 44-year-old man was stopped at Glendale and scanned. During a subsequent search of the man, police allegedly located and seized scissors. The man is expected to be issued a future court attendance notice for possess offensive implement in public place.
- About 3pm yesterday (Thursday 4 September 2025), police stopped and scanned a 44-year-old man at Glendale. During a subsequent search of the man, police allegedly located and seized 0.56g cannabis, approximately 0.6g methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and a power tool suspected of being stolen. The man was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station where he was charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug, possession of equipment for administering prohibited drugs, and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen. He was also charged with two counts of contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO over unrelated matters. He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 2 today (Friday 5 September 2025).
Lake Macquarie Police District Commander, Superintendent Tracy Chapman, said knife crime will not be tolerated by police.
"Knife crime has devastating consequences and will not be tolerated in our community. Operation Ares is about stopping weapons before they can be used and sending a strong message that carrying them is unacceptable."
"The community deserves to feel safe when they're out and about. Yesterday's operation shows the kind of proactive policing we are doing to keep dangerous items off our streets and hold offenders accountable.
"If you choose to carry a knife or weapon, expect to be stopped, scanned, and dealt with by police."
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said these results are a clear indication of how seriously police are taking the issue of knives on our streets, particularly in Charlestown.
"We've seen the devastating impact knife violence has on communities. Lives have been lost, futures destroyed and loved ones left to pick up the pieces. This is something we take very seriously."
"Our police are working tirelessly to keep people safe and I want to thank them for their ongoing dedication. The NSW Government is backing them with the tools and powers they need - powers that enabled yesterday's operation in Charlestown.
"Carrying a knife in public is not a joke and it's a serious offence with life-altering consequences. This operation sends a strong message that if you leave the house with a knife, police might stop you and if they do, you'll face the toughest knife crime penalties in the country."
Similar operations will continue across the area targeting knife crime, possession of weapons, and anti-social behaviour.
