Police have charged 105 people with alleged domestic violence offences and conducted more than 1,300 ADVO compliance checks following an operation in the state's western region.
On Monday 16 February 2026 to, police from Western Region commenced Operation Shield - a surge targeting family and domestic violence - which concluded on Friday 20 February 2026.
The operation focused on the apprehension of wanted DV offenders, the service of Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders, and maintaining a proactive, disruptive and swift response to family and domestic violence incidents.
The surge was resourced by all police districts within the western region with assistance from Western Region Operations and Strike Force Raptor.
As a result of the operation:
- 105 people were charged with a combined total of 191 alleged domestic violence-related offences
- 1,361 Apprehended Domestic Violence Order compliance checks were conducted, and 103 further ADVOs were applied for by police
- 12 arrest warrants were executed
- 27 people were detected breaching their bail conditions as a result of 354 bail compliance checks
- 20 Firearms Prohibition Order searches were conducted with 21 firearms seized
Incidents of note include:
On Monday 16 February 2026, officers from Orana Mid Western Police District were called to a home on Pozieres Street, Dubbo, following reports a 77-year-old woman had been assaulted before her car was stolen by a 47-year-old man known to her. About 4.15am on Tuesday 17 February, officers attached to Central West Police District stopped the vehicle on Bogan Street, Parkes, and attempted to arrest the man when he allegedly resisted and assaulted police. Police deployed OC spray before the 47-year-old man allegedly threatened police with a knife. A Taser was deployed which was ineffective, before a foot pursuit commenced. When the man dropped the knife, police were able to tackle and take him into custody. He was taken to hospital for treatment, before he was taken to Parkes Police Station and charged with several offences including common assault (DV), stealing, assault police and use weapon to precent lawful detention. He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 4 on Tueday 17 February 2026, where he was formally refused bail to appear before Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday 25 February 2026.
About 2pm on Tuesday 17 February 2026, officers attached to New England Police District were called to a home on Martin Street, Armidale, following reports a 52-year-old woman had allegedly been assaulted and choked by a 22-year-old man known to her, before he punched holes in the wall of the home. He was arrested and taken to Armidale Police Station, where he was charged with breach ADVO, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of common assault, destroy or damage property, and two counts of intentionally choke person without consent. He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 5 on Wednesday 18 February 2026, where he was granted conditional bail to appear before Armidale Local Court today (Monday 23 February 2026).
On Monday 16 February 2026, Officers attached to Oxley Police District attended a home on Wylie Place, Westdale, following reports a 47-year-old man had allegedly threatened and assaulted a 34-year-old woman with a pushbike frame. The woman was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics and did not require further treatment. Police commenced inquiries which revealed both the man and woman were allegedly in breach of Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders issued in Queensland. The man was arrested and taken to Tamworth Police Station where he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV), breach ADVO, and stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm (DV). He was refused bail to appear at Bail Division Court 5, where he was formally refused bail and is due to appear at Tamworth Local Court on Thursday 11 June 2026. The 34-year-old woman was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 5 on Monday 16 February 2026.
Police will continue to conduct similar operations in the future targeting domestic violence offences.
Information about the NSW Police Force response to domestic and family violence, can be found online: https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/crime/domestic_and_family_violence.
Victims of domestic and family violence can find information about support services by contacting 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visiting: https://www.1800respect.org.au.
Reports of domestic and family-related crime or abuse can be made by contacting or attending your local police station. In an emergency, contact Triple Zero (000).
Anyone with information relating to domestic and family-related violence is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
