NSW police have released alarming figures after 72-hour blitz aimed at reducing knife crime

NSW Police launched a coordinated attack over the weekend which saw a major haul of weapons seized and over 50 people arrested on outstanding warrants.

The police operation across the state resulted in the seizure of knives and other offences being detected, as emergency services are pushed to the limit in dealing with knife-related violence.

Operation Foil ran from 1pm Thursday, July 4 until 2am Saturday, July 6, and saw more than 700 officers from every police area command and police district in NSW, assisted by specialist officers from youth command, police transport and public safety command and traffic and highway patrol command primarily targetting knife crime and anti-social behaviour.

During the operation, 72 knives/weapons were seized with more than 165 people charged with weapon-related offences, including seizure of a firearm.

Additionally, police detected a number of breaches, including:

• 52 people arrested over outstanding warrants
• 165 x drug detections
• 695 x Traffic Infringement Notices issued
• 410 x Rail Infringement Notices issued

Police also performed almost 3600 random breath tests and 570 bail compliance checks.

Detective Inspector Guy Magee said Operation Foil aimed to remove weapons from the streets and make the community safer.

“Operation Foil was established to get these weapons out of the hands of individuals who may potentially use them to target other people,” Detective Inspector Magee said.

“Knife crime is an issue across the state and can change lives in an instant, which is why police will continue to proactively target and arrest anyone who poses a threat to the safety of the community.”