Nineteen people have been charged during a three-day Operation Soteria surge in Orange, in the state’s Central West region.
Operation Soteria is focused on crime reduction, offender disruption and community safety across the state.
From Wednesday 5 August 2026 to Friday 7 August 2026, officers attached to Central West Police District – supported by the Western Operations Support Group and Youth Command – deployed throughout the Orange area and conducted a coordinated surge operation.
As a result, 19 people were charged, including seven who were issued with Court Attendance Notices.
Officers also conducted 29 person searches and move on directions, and 31 bail and AVO compliance checks.
Youth Command officers also conducted 16 engagement visits, several school visits and participated in Operation Unites and Fit for Life programs which saw a number of young people attend.
Incidents of note:
- About 9am on Wednesday 5 August 2026, police attended a home on Jubilee Place, Orange, to conduct a Firearms Prohibition Order and Weapons Prohibition Order compliance check. Police searched the home and allegedly located and seized an amount of cannabis. A 43-year-old man was arrested at the house and taken to Orange Police Station, where he was charged with supply prohibited drug more than small and less than or equal indictable quantity and possess prohibited drug. He was granted conditional bail to appear before Orange Local Court on Thursday 27 August 2026.
- On Friday 7 August 2026, police arrested a 53-year-old woman at the intersection of Moulder an Anson Streets, Orange. She was taken to Orange Police Station, where she was charged with two outstanding arrest warrants. She was refused bail and appeared before Bail Division Court 4 the same day, where she was granted conditional bail to appear before Orange Local Court on Thursday 13 August 2026.
- About 7.10pm on Friday 7 August 2026, police were called to a home on Blanche Avenue, Orange, following reports of a domestic incident. Police attended and were told a 19-year-old woman allegedly assaulted a 14-year-old boy and damaged property inside the home. The woman was arrested a short time later and was taken to Orange Police Station, where she was charged with destroy or damage property, common assault (DV) and contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (Domestic). She was granted conditional bail to appear before Orange Local Court on Tuesday 11 August 2026.
Future Operation Soteria deployments are expected.
