A knife scanning operation has concluded on the state's Mid North Coast.
After consultation with local community members and retailers on retail theft and public place offending such as knife crime, Coffs/Clarence Police District planned a knife wanding operation at shopping centres in Toormina and the Coffs Harbour Central Business District.
Operation Ares commenced at 12pm yesterday (Thursday 5 March 2026) and concluded at 4.30pm the same day, with police using metal detectors at both locations.
At Toormina, two people were given move-on directions for public intoxication, and three youths were identified trespassing and given warnings under the Young Offenders Act.
At Coffs Harbour, a knife was detected after stopping 17-year-old boy. He was arrested and charged with custody of a knife in a public place and breach of bail, and will appear before Bail Division Court today (Friday 6 March 2026).
A 41-year-old man was scanned and found in possession of a knife, before he was charged with custody of a knife – subsequent offence, and refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 1 today (Friday 6 March 2026).
Operation Ares will continue to run at designated locations across the state.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
