Police have charged six people with 14 alleged offences following a domestic-violence focused operation in the state's New England region.
On Tuesday 16 June 2026, police from Western Region commenced Operation Shield in New England Police District – a surge targeting family and domestic violence – which concluded yesterday (Thursday 18 June 2026).
The surge was conducted by officers attached to the Western Region Operations Support Group, Region Enforcement Squad, Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team, and New England Police District.
The operation focused on the apprehension of wanted DV offenders and maintaining a proactive, disruptive and swift response to family and domestic violence incidents.
During the operation, officers charged six people with a combined total of 14 alleged offences, seized two firearms, conducted eight drug seizures, and conducted six Firearm Prohibition Order searches and a search warrant.
Incidents of note include,
· About 10am on Tuesday 16 June 2026, police executed a search warrant and a digital evidence access order at a residence in Guyra. Officers arrested a 54-year-old man at the home, who allegedly had methylamphetamine in his possession. During a search of the residence, police allegedly seized 11.8 grams of methylamphetamine, 0.5 grams of heroin, 24.4 grams of cannabis leaf, 1.4 grams of cannabis seed, two compact folding pistols and an amount of cash. The man was taken to Armidale Police Station where he was charged with nine offences; possess prohibited drug (four counts), supply prohibited drug (two counts), possess unauthorised pistol (two counts) and recklessly deal with proceeds of crime less than or equal to $5000. He was refused bail and appeared before Bail Divison Court 5 on Wednesday 17 June 2026, where he was granted conditional bail to next appear before Armidale Local Court on Monday 22 June 2026.
· About 2.30pm on Tuesday 16 June 2026, police conducted a Firearm Prohibition Order search at a residence in Armidale. Following inquiries, about 4pm the same day, officers arrested a 21-year-old man on Tysoe Crescent, Armidale. He was taken to Armidale Police Station where he was charged with contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (Domestic). He was refused bail and faced Bail Divison Court 5 on Wednesday 17 June 2026, where he was formally refused bail to reappear before Armidale Local Court on Monday 22 June 2026.
· About 8.45am on Wednesday 15 June 2026, police served a 37-year-old man with a Firearm Prohibition Order and Weapon Prohibition Order at a residence in Armidale. During a search of the home, an amount of cannabis was located. The man was issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice for the alleged offence of possess prohibited drug. He appeared before Armidale Local Court yesterday (Thursday 18 June 2026), where he was granted bail to next appear at the same court on Monday 28 September 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.
