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Police conduct first knife scanning operation under new legislation - Operation Ares

Friday, 13 December 2024 10:58:14 AM

Ten people have been charged in the first operation conducted by NSW Police under new knife scanning legislation.

Operation Ares ran from 1pm to 11pm yesterday (Thursday 12 December 2024) at Central Railway Station and involved 30 officers.

The Central Station precinct was declared a designated area under Part 4A of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002.

In total 382 people were stopped and scanned using hand-held devices. Of those, 12 people were searched.

Five knives and four prohibited weapons were located and seized as a result of subsequent searches.

In total, ten people were arrested and charged.

Incidents of note:

  • About 1.50pm, police stopped a 30-year-old woman and a 41-year-old man for the purpose of conducting a scan. Upon being scanned, the 41-year-old man allegedly pulled a taser from the belt line of his pants. A search of the woman allegedly found a taser, two sling shots and a knife. The man and woman were both arrested. The man was taken to Surry Hills Police Station, where he was charged with possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit and two counts of affray. He was refused bail to appear before Downing Centre Local Court today (Friday 13 December 2024). The woman was taken to Day Street Police Station where she was charged with three counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit and custody of knife in public place. She was refused bail to appear before Downing Centre Local Court today (Friday 13 December 2024).

  • About 2.20pm, police stopped a 22-year-old man for the purposes of conducting a scan. It will be alleged, upon being scanned, police located a knife in the man’s pants and drug paraphernalia in the man’s bag. Both items were seized for forensic examination. The man was issued a future court attendance notice for custody of knife in public place and possession of equipment for administering prohibited drugs. The man will appear before Downing Centre Local Court Wednesday 29 January 2025.

  • About 1.30pm, police stopped a 34-year-old man at the Chalmers Street Light Rail Station, for the purposes of conducting a scan. Upon being scanned, police allegedly located and seized a box cutter in the man’s bag. The man was issued a future court attendance notice for custody of knife in public place. The man will appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Friday 24 January 2025.

  • About 8.25pm, police stopped an 18-year-old man on the Northern Concourse, Central Railway Station, for the purposes of conducting a scan. Upon being scanned, police allegedly located a knife in the man’s bag. The man was issued a criminal infringement notice.