Police have seized five firearms and 61 knives during an operation targeting knife crime and anti-social behaviour across NSW.
Operation Foil II ran from 1am Thursday (21 September 2023) until 2am yesterday (Saturday 23 September 2023) to target anti-social behaviour and knife crime at known hot spots within police area commands and districts throughout the state.
Local police were supported by officers from the Police Transport and Public Safety Command, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, and Youth Command.
During the operation, 140 people were charged with weapon related offences, drug detections, outstanding warrants, and bail condition breaches.
More than 4,000 random breath tests were also conducted resulting in numerous detections for exceeding the prescribed concentration of alcohol.
Detective Acting Superintendent Glen Parks, Operations Manager of the North West Metropolitan Region, said the operation had been a huge success.
"Operations such as this one is about keeping the public safe," said Detective Acting Superintendent Parks.
"The fact we were able to get five firearms and 61 knives off the street demonstrates the success of the operation.
"The feedback we have received from the community about running these operations have been very favourable.
"Nevertheless, it is still concerning that we still have a portion of the community who chose to carry knives; and it's particularly concerning that a large number of these are young people.
"We see time and time again that carrying knives and other weapons can lead to an increase in violent confrontations.
"But rest assures, we will continue to run these operations in the future, so if you plan on carrying a weapon, expect to be caught."
Incidents of note include:
- Officers arrested a 30-year-old man after he was seen driving into a service station at Kincumber. Police will allege that the man was wanted for a number of serious offences including possession of firearms, kidnapping, supplying a prohibited drug, affray, assault, malicious damage as well as traffic breaches. The man was charged with a total of 18 offences and was refused bail to appear at Gosford Local Court on Friday 17 November 2023.
- At Bankstown Railway Station about 3.45pm on Thursday (21 September 2023), officers spoke with a 46-year-old man. It will be alleged he was found in possession of a set of knuckle dusters. He was charged with possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit and granted conditional bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court on Thursday 19 October 2023.
- A 33-year-old woman was arrested by officers on Leonard Street, Bankstown, at 3pm on Friday (22 September 2023), where it will be alleged, she was involved in the supply of prohibited drugs. It will also be alleged she was involved in identity and other fraud related incidents. She was charged with 19 offence and was granted conditional bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday 4 October 2023.
- Officers spoke with a 31-year-old man on Belgrave Street, Manly, at 3.20pm on Friday (22 September 2023). It will be alleged that located in the man's possession was a large quantity of drugs and housebreaking implements. Inquires also established that the man was wanted on an arrest warrant. The man was charged with supply prohibited drug >indictable &
- About 9.20pm on Friday (22 September 2023), police attempted to stop a vehicle along Reservoir Road, Arndell Park. When the vehicle failed to stop a pursuit was initiated which ended after road spikes were deployed and the female driver was arrested. Located in the vehicle was a 3-year-old boy in child restraint. It will be further alleged that the woman was a disqualified driver and was in possession of a small amount of methylamphetamine. She was charged with drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly and possess prohibited drug. The 29-year-old woman was granted conditional bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court on Thursday (23 September 2023).
