The Minns Labor Government will make Operation Shelter permanent, transitioning the unit to a rapid response capability within the NSW Police Force.
This new unit embeds a high-visibility, intelligence-led policing unit that can quickly respond to threats, patrol high-risk areas, protect places of worship and major events, and provide a visible presence to keep communities safe.
The decision follows the antisemitic terror attack at Bondi Beach, the worst terror attack in Australia's history and a concerning rise in religiously motivated incidents and hate-related offences across NSW.
Under this reform, Operation Shelter will transition from a reactive operation to a permanent, round-the-clock rapid response unit. Operation Shelter was first launched in October 2023 amid heightened tensions in Sydney, including large protests and a rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents.
At the time, NSW Police made clear that protecting public safety and community cohesion was the priority, establishing the operation to strengthen the Force's handling of major protests and high-risk events, through coordinated intelligence gathering, increased high-visibility patrols and close monitoring of potential threats, particularly around houses of worship, transport hubs and other crowded public places.
This Australian-first rapid response unit will have approximately 250 dedicated police officers, 28 civilian staff and a fleet of specifically modified rapid-response vehicles, meaning police will no longer be rotated out of existing Police Area Commands.
It will see a permanent long arm policing capability for high profile public buildings, places of worship and mass gatherings placed around Sydney.
As part of the expanded capability, NSW Police will also strengthen community engagement through additional Multicultural Liaison Officers and Senior Multicultural Liaison Officers.
A 24/7 specialised Police Operations Centre (POC) will also support the unit with tasking, real-time coordination, and surge management - including training, logistics and intelligence to sharpen targeting and prevention.
In January 2026, a senior NSW Police Force delegation travelled to Germany and the United Kingdom to study best practice in policing and emergency management. Unlike these jurisdictions, the NSW Police Force currently relies on temporary surge operations to disrupt crime and reassure the community.
This reform ensures NSW moves beyond short-term surge responses and instead establishes a permanent, structured capability aligned with global best practice.
This builds on a suite of reforms to improve community safety and protect social cohesion including:
- Tough new firearms laws, stricter licensing and storage requirements, and a national gun buyback building on the Minns Labor Government's work to keep dangerous weapons off our streets and communities safe.
- New offences banning the public display of terrorist organisation symbols and further action to address hateful speech reinforce efforts to reduce division, intimidation and hate in NSW.
- Updated powers around public assemblies following terrorism events support police to prevent inflammatory behaviour while protecting peaceful gatherings and community harmony.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
"The safety of the people of New South Wales is our number one priority. This is about putting the right structure in place so police are always ready.
"Operation Shelter has worked. Making it permanent means we're building on what we know delivers real results.
"People want to see police where it matters, at major events, near places of worship, and in busy public spaces. This ensures that presence is consistent, because our security challenges have changed and our policing model needs to change with them."
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:
"What happened at Bondi has etched a permanent scar onto our community.
"We are responding decisively by establishing a new, rapid response capability to detect and respond to threats.
"Police do extraordinary work and this is about giving them the tools they need to continue to keep the community safe in the wake of the worst terror incident we've ever seen in this country."
Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:
"NSW's strength comes from our diversity, and we are committed to working hand-in-hand with our multicultural communities to strengthen cohesion, build trust, and ensure every person feels safe, respected and included.
"Our multicultural communities are at the heart of modern New South Wales, and this work ensures we can continue to foster understanding and unity across our state."
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon APM said:
"In the aftermath of the Bondi Beach terror attacks, it is essential that we are able to provide an enhanced rapid response with long-arm capability.
"Similar specialised police units are already operational overseas and form an important part of public safety operations in several countries in Europe.
"Our priority is not only ensuring the community is safe, but that people also feel safe, while providing a deterrence to anyone who wants to do harm and support our frontline operational police."
President of the Police Federation Kevin Morton said:
"I commend the leadership of this government led by Chris Minns on this Australia first policing reform.
"Minister Catley and Commissioner Lanyon have recognised the nature of policing in this state changed on December 14th and have responded to provide the community the safety the people of NSW need and deserve.
"This trailblazing police command will provide NSW police officers with the equipment and rapid deployment needed to keep them, and the community safe."
