PLEASE NOTE: NSWPF branded vision and images of Operation Foil will be made available later today.
A major police operation across NSW has resulted in over 200 people charged with more than 350 offences and the seizure of knives and weapons as part of a two-day blitz.
Operation Foil is a high-visibility operation targeting violent offenders, knife crime, and the possession of weapons in public places across the state.
The operation ran from 1pm on Thursday 2 July 2026 to 1am on Saturday 4 July 2026 and saw over 500 officers deployed across Sydney's metropolitan and regional areas of NSW.
During the blitz, police conducted a number of knife scanning operations, in which 3697 people were scanned.
In total, 144 weapons were seized, including 83 knives, 40 firearms and 21 other weapons. 46 outstanding warrants were also executed.
Officers attached to Youth Command also assisted Operation Foil by visiting 374 schools across the state and met with more than 24,000 students between June 2026 and Friday 3 July 2026, delivering anti-violence presentations under 'Operation Pivot' to raise awareness and support crime prevention efforts.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley said carrying a knife does not make you tough, it makes you dangerous.
"We have introduced new laws to make wanding powers permanent and backed police with the tools to get knifes and dangerous weapons off our streets.
"Operation Foil is this work in action: police finding the people carrying weapons and taking them out of our communities."
Operation Foil Commander, Detective Chief Inspector Glen Parks, said the two-day blitz is part of an ongoing, proactive effort by police to reduce violent crimes.
"Operation Foil sends a clear message: carrying a knife in public puts everyone at risk, and we will not tolerate it," Chief Inspector Parks said.
"Over the course of this two-day operation, our officers worked around the clock to remove weapons, disrupt offending, and strengthen community safety.
"The results make one thing clear: if you carry a knife, you will be stopped, and you will be held accountable."
Incidents of note include:
Incident 1: In June 2026, officers attached to Western Region Operations Support Group (OSG) commenced an investigation into alleged drug supply in Tamworth area. Following inquiries, about 6.30am on Thursday 2 July 2026, officers from Western Region OSG, Oxley Police District, along with Operation Foil detectives executed a search warrant at a home on Mathews Street, West Tamworth, where they arrested three men – aged 28, 27, 23. During the arrest, police located and seized two shortened rifles, ammunition, an extendable baton, handcuffs, prohibited drugs, cash, electronic devices, and two allegedly stolen motorcycles. The 23-year-old was charged with 10 offences relating to firearms, ammunition, drug possession and supply, and recklessly deal with proceeds of crime.
The 27-year-old was charged with supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, and recklessly deal with proceeds of crime. The 28-year-old was charged with 9 offences relating to firearms, ammunition, prohibited weapons, and prohibited drugs. All three were refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 5 on Friday 3 July 2026.
Incident 2: About 7.50pm on Thursday 2 July 2026, police were called to a restaurant on Smith Street, Kempsey, following reports of an armed robbery. Officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District were told a man with a knife entered the shop and stole cash before leaving the scene. Following inquires, about 8.10pm the same day, police arrested a 15-year-old boy on York Lane, Kempsey. During the arrest, police located and seized a machete and cash. He was taken to Kempsey Police Station where he was charged with robbery armed with offensive weapon. He was refused bail to appear at Children's Court on Friday 3 July 2026.
Incident 3: About 9am on Thursday 2 July 2026, officers attached to Wollongong Police District were conducting a knife scanning operation at a shopping centre on Crown Street, Wollongong. During the operation, police have charged seven people including a 36-year-old man after a knife, multiple pairs of scissors and drugs were seized. He was charged with custody of knife in public place. He was issued court attendance notice to appear at Wollongong Local Court on Thursday 6 August 2026.
Incident 4: About 2.40pm on Thursday 2 July 2026, officers attached to Central Metropolitan Region were patrolling on George Street, Haymarket, when they stopped a 43-year-old man acting suspiciously. Following inquiries, the man was arrested after police allegedly located and seized three knives and small amount of methylamphetamine and cannabis. He was taken to Day Street Police Station where he was charged with possess prohibited drug, possess drug not exceed small quantity, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, and three counts of custody of knife in public place. He was refused bail to appear at Bail Division Court 7, where he was granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 16 July 2026.
Incident 5: On Thursday 2 July 2026, officers attached to North West Metropolitan Region conducted knife scanning operation at Parramatta Bus and Rail Interchange, Parramatta Square and a shopping centre on Church Street, Parramatta. A total of 520 people were scanned where six people were arrested and four knives were located and seized. During the operation, police allegedly detected a knife in a 28-year-old man's pocket. He was charged with custody of knife in public place. He was issued a court attendance notice to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday 18 August 2026.
Incident 6: About 2.30pm on Thursday 2 July 2026, officers attached to Liverpool City Police Area Command were patrolling on Sutton Road, Ashcroft, when they located a man who police believe was wanted on an outstanding warrant. When officers approached, the men left the scene. A short time later, the 27-year-old man was arrested nearby after police allegedly located and seized a small knife, along with small amount of methylamphetamine and cocaine. He was taken to Liverpool Police Station where he was charged with custody of knife in public place, possess/attempt to, prescribed restricted substance, and three counts of possess prohibited drug. He was subsequently charged with an outstanding warrant on possess unauthorised pistol, possess prohibited drug, custody of knife in public place, and fail to appear in accordance with bail acknowledgement. He was refused bail to appear at Bail Division Court 6, where he was granted conditional bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court on Thursday 30 July 2026.
Incident 7: About 4pm on Friday 3 July 2026, officers attached to officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were patrolling on Woodstock Avenue, Mount Druitt, when they located a black sedan. Check revealed the vehicle was stole from North Ryde in June 2026. When it failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated. A short time later, police located the vehicle abandoned near Coghlan Crescent, Doonside. Following inquiries, police arrested a 16-year-old boy an 18-year-old woman nearby. During the arrest, police have located and seized a knife from the boy before further knives and tools were located in the vehicle. They were both taken to Mount Druitt Police Station where the boy was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, custody of knife in public place, hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty, assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm, driver never licensed, and breach of bail. He was refused bail to appear at Children's Court on Saturday (4 July 2026), where he was refused bail to appear at the same court on Monday 13 July 2026. The woman was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner. She was granted conditional bail to appear at Mount Druitt Local Court on Wednesday 12 August 2026.
