Police have charged more 150 people with more than 360 alleged offences following a two-day blitz across the state last week.
Operation Foil is a high-visibility policing strategy targeting violent offenders, knife crime, and the possession of weapons in public places across the state.
The operation commenced at 1pm on Thursday 24 September 2026 and concluded at 1am on Saturday 26 September 2026, and involved more than 500 officers from Police Area Commands and Districts, with support from specialist units, deployed across the state.
More than 150 people were charged with 360 alleged offences after 4436 people were scanned for weapons.
Police detected and seized 108 weapons, including 85 knives, 4 firearms and 19 other weapons. Officers made 160 drug detections and executed 35 outstanding warrants.
Police also conducted 3295 roadside breath tests and completed about 500 bail compliance checks throughout the operation.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said nobody should ever leave home carrying a knife.
“There is no good reason to walk out your front door carrying a knife or another dangerous weapon. You are putting yourself and everyone around you at risk,” Minister Catley said.
“A weapon doesn’t keep you safe. It only makes you more dangerous.
“If you choose to carry a dangerous weapon in public, you should expect to be caught and held to account.”
Operation Foil Commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Michael Cantrell, said the high-visibility strategy had been conducted three times this year, and it demonstrated the strong commitment of police to combating weapon-related crimes.
“The successful outcome of Operation Foil highlights how proactive policing reduces knife crimes and makes the community stronger and safe,” Detective Acting Superintedent Cantrell said.
“Police will continue to arrest people who choose to carry prohibited weapons in public places and put them before the court to face the consequences.”
Incidents of note include:
- On Thursday 24 September 2026, officers attached to North West Metropolitan Region, with the assistance of Parramatta Police Area Command and Ryde Police Area Command, conducted a high visibility operation in the Parramatta area from 2.30pm to 6pm. During the operation, a 23-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy were issued with Court Attendance Notices after knives and cannabis were allegedly located on each of them.
- About 4.10pm on Thursday 24 September 2026, officers attached to Oxley Police District stopped a 36-year-old man at a shopping complex on Fitzroy Street, Tamworth, before they allegedly located an axe in his bag. The man was issued with a Court Attendance Notice for custody of knife in public place. He is due to appear at Tamworth Local Court on Tuesday 20 October 2026.
- About 3.30pm on Thursday 24 September 2026, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attempted to speak with a 16-year-old boy at a shopping centre on Molly Morgan Drive, East Maitland. After a foot pursuit, police searched the boy and the nearby area, allegedly locating and seizing a knife. The boy was issued a Court Attendance Notice for custody of knife in public place and fail/refuse to comply with police officer in designated area. He is due to appear before a children’s court on Thursday 22 October 2026.
- About 1.15pm on Thursday 24 September 2026, officers attached to Brisbane Water Police District arrested a 32-year-old man allegedly wanted on outstanding warrants. During a search of the man, police allegedly located and seized cannabis, methylamphetamine, and a homemade knife. He was charged with have custody of an offensive implement in a public place and two counts of possess prohibited drug. The outstanding warrants were also executed. The man was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 6 on Saturday (26 September 2026).
- About 8.30pm on Thursday 24 September 2026, officers attached to Police Transport Command Northwest stopped a 16-year-old boy at Parramatta Railway Station. During a search of the teen, police allegedly located two 30cm hunting knives. He was arrested and charged with two counts of custody of knife in public place. The teen was refused bail to appear before a children’s court on Tuesday 13 October 2026.
- About 1.15pm on Friday 25 September 2026, officers attached to Tweed Heads Police District were conducting patrols of a shopping centre on Wharf Street, Tweed Heads South, when they spoke with a 27-year-old woman. During a search of the woman, police allegedly located a trench knife, cannabis, and a prescribed substance. She was arrested and charged with possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, possess prohibited drug, and possess/attempt to, prescribed restricted substance. The woman was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 1 on Saturday (26 September 2026).
- About 8am on Friday 25 September 2026, officers attached to South Sydney Police Area Command were called to the vicinity of Redfern Park, after reports of an alleged armed robbery. Officers stopped and searched a 15-year-old boy nearby; during which, police allegedly located and seized the stolen items and a machete. He was arrested and charged with robbery armed with offensive weapon, custody of knife in public place, and larceny value less than or equal to $2000. The teen was refused bail to appear before a children’s court on Saturday (26 September 2026).
- About 6.15pm on Friday 25 September 2026, officers attached to Leichhardt Police Area Command were called to a licenced premises on Norton Street, Leichhardt, after reports a man was armed with a knife. On arrival, police spoke with a 42-year-old man. During a search of the man, police allegedly located and seized three knives. He was arrested and taken to Newtown Police Station, where he allegedly assaulted a probationary constable. The man was charged with three counts of custody of knife in public place, possess housebreaking implements, and assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm. He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 7 on Saturday (26 September 2026).
