A counter terrorism training exercise has taken place in Tamworth to test the emergency response in an armed offender threat scenario.
The exercise, which was developed by the Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command, took place last night (Tuesday 23 September 2025), between 6pm and 9pm at a shopping centre in West Tamworth.
It included officers and resources from Oxley Police District, Western Region, as well as shopping centre security and retail business operators and staff members.
The objective of the exercise is for emergency services and crowded places operators to practice and review current plans and arrangements in response to an armed attack scenario, including the Escape, Hide, Tell protocol.
The training exercise will be followed by a Crowded Places Forum, which is taking place today (Wednesday 24 September), at a racecourse in Tamworth.
The focus of the forum will be to debrief the training exercise and discuss and provide security advice in regard to prevention, preparedness and response to an attack.
Anyone with information about extremist activity or possible threats to the community is urged to come forward, no matter how small or insignificant you may think the information may be. The National Security Hotline is 1800 123 400.
Further, information relating to any criminal activity in the community can be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
For more information on countering terrorism in NSW, including national and state arrangements, legislation, and policy, visit: https://www.secure.nsw.gov.au.
