Weapons seized, hundreds arrested during statewide DV blitz

Hundreds of people have been arrested during a three-day blitz targeting alleged domestic violence offending in the state.

The NSW Police Operation Amarok, targeting high-risk domestic violence offenders, led to 681 arrests and 1594 charges being laid. Police checked compliance with 11,375 apprehended domestic violence orders, finding 283 breaches.

Officers seized 73 firearms and 21 other weapons during the blitz between Thursday and Saturday last week.

“These results show the tireless work of police to keep us safe, including by removing weapons from alleged high-risk offenders,” Police Minister Yasmin Catley said.

Among the arrests, a 39-year-old man accused of breaching bail and an apprehended domestic violence order when allegedly assaulting and choking a 26-year-old woman while armed with a pistol as he detained her at a Coraki home in the NSW Northern Rivers earlier this month. He was arrested at a Goonellabah home on Friday afternoon.

In Sydney’s west at Harris Park, a 38-year-old man was arrested on Saturday afternoon and charged with domestic violence-related common assault and carrying out a sexual act without consent.

Operation Amarok is an ongoing, intelligence-led program which began in 2023, aimed at addressing domestic and family violence.

Catley said domestic and family violence was a blight on society that officers were working hard to address.

“But they’re responding at the crisis end,” she said.

“We need a whole-of-community effort to call out this vile offending and help prevent it before it occurs.”

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said anyone experiencing domestic and family violence, or those concerned for a loved one’s safety, should contact police for support.

“Our message is clear: domestic and family violence will not be tolerated, and offenders can expect to be identified, targeted and brought before the courts,” McKenna said.

National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

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