NEW South Wales Police have charged more than 500 people with more than 1200 offences during a four-day, state-wide operation targeting domestic and family violence.
Operation Amarok VIII ran from Wednesday to Saturday, November 13-16, and involved officers from all police area commands and police districts across the state.
The Domestic and Family Violence Registry-led operation, also involved officers from each regions’ Domestic Violence High Risk Offenders Team, along with specialist officers from Raptor Squad, Youth Command, Traffic & Highway Patrol Command, and the Police Transport Command.
In addition to the 548 people charged with 1283 offences over the four-day operation, police attended more than 100 schools and 12 U-Nites events – a PCYC-led initiative to create a safe space for young people to engage in activities – to deliver presentations on respectful relationships and coercive control.
Additionally, police conducted 138 Firearms Prohibition Order compliance searches with 64 firearms and 17 other weapons seized.
Police also conducted 10,434 Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders compliance checks, detecting 455 breaches.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley, says education is just as important as enforcement.
“The NSW Police Force are on the frontline of domestic and family violence, often responding at the point of crisis,” she said.
“Operation Amarok is just one way police respond to this hideous crime and keep a check on high-risk individuals to help prevent future offending. It sends a strong message that these criminal actions are not tolerated.
“Enforcement is crucial but we must stop this offending before it happens which is why police are going into schools, supporting the next generation to understand healthy relationships and giving them the knowledge and tools to recognise and take action against this behaviour.”
Domestic and Family Violence Corporate Sponsor, Assistant Commissioner Peter Mckenna, said while educating the next generation was just as important as locking up the offenders, the results demonstrate that Operation Amarok VIII has again proven to be successful.
“NSW Police is committed to tackling domestic violence offenders across the state and ensuring those who are subject to prohibition orders are compliant. Those who aren’t compliant, are dealt with accordingly,” he said.
“While Operation Amarok VIII successfully disrupted targeted offenders, our officers continue to work with hundreds of victims to ensure their safety.
“More than 1700 apprehended violence orders were served during the operation.
“Operation Amarok has concluded for now, but it should serve as a reminder to every domestic violence offender in NSW: you are on our radar.
“Police will continue high visibility operations to help protect victims of domestic violence,” Assistant Commissioner Mckenna said.
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.
NSW Police Media
