More Than 550 Charged in Police Op Targeting Domestic Violence

A number of men and women were charged with DV offending across NSW. (Tinnakorn jorruang/Shutterstock)

New South Wales police have arrested 554 alleged domestic violence offenders in a four-day blitz titled Operation Amarok VI.

Arrests included a 55-year-old man who was charged with assaulting a 62-year-old woman, a 53-year-old man who was charged with multiple offences including domestic violence, possessing an imitation firearm, and drugs, and a 23-year-old woman who police allege stabbed a 37-year-old female relative.

Operation Amarok VI ran from May 15 to 18 and involved every police area command and district across the state.

The Domestic and Family Violence Registry led operation involved officers from each region’s Domestic Violence High Risk Offenders Team (DVHROT), along with specialist officers from Raptor Squad, Youth Command, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, and the Police Transport Command.

A total of 1,070 charges were laid during the operation and 226 of those arrested were wanted by police for serious domestic violence offences.

Minister for police and counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley says Operation Amarok sent a strong message to perpetrators of domestic and family violence.

“These results show how seriously the NSW police force takes domestic and family violence—this abhorrent behaviour is not tolerated,” she said.

“Anyone who commits this heinous crime can expect a knock at their door.

“Operation Amarok is just one part of the police response. Last year, almost 150,000 calls for assistance were made to the NSWPF for domestic violence-related matters. This shows the severity of the situation, the huge amount of police time and resources that go into addressing this epidemic and how important it is for prevention, early intervention and crisis support services to work together.”

NSW police executive sponsor for domestic and family violence, Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell, said the operated had been a targeted blitz of people who are considered among the state’s worst domestic violence offenders.

“These offenders pose a significant threat to their victims, as well as family members and the wider community,” he said.

“We demonstrated last week that we will target and arrest the offenders no matter where they are located. We saw significant arrest numbers in our regional communities, and we also saw arrests for offences that occurred allegedly while the offender was in jail.”

In April this year, Domestic Violence NSW announced that 17 women had been murdered through domestic violence in 2023, making up almost half the state’s death toll for the year.

Domestic Violence NSW CEO Delia Donovan said the statistics highlighted the need for intervention programs and community education to help stop violence before it starts.

Significant Arrests

A 55-year-old man was charged following the alleged assault on a 62-year-old woman on April 24.

Following inquiries, officers attached to the Mid North Coast Police District attended a residence in Port Macquarie on May 15, where they arrested the man.

He was charged with stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (domestic), destroy or damage property, and common assault (DV).

He was granted conditional bail to appear before Port Macquarie Local Court on June 5.

Man Allegedly Used Imitation Firearm

In a separate case, a 53-year-old man was arrested in West Kempsey following an alleged domestic assault.

On May 15, the man and a 47-year-old woman allegedly had an argument inside a home.

During the argument it’s alleged the man used an imitation firearm to threaten the woman before police were called.

Officers from Mid North Coast PD searched the home and located and seized an imitation firearm along with an amount of cannabis.

He was charged with multiple offences and refused bail.

Woman Charged Over Assault of Another Woman

In another case, a 32-year-old woman was charged following the alleged assault of a 37-year-old woman at a residence in West Kempsey on May 16.

Officers attached to the Coffs Harbour Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team arrested the woman and charged her with common assault and contravene prohibition / restriction in AVO.

Police Allege Teen Girl Attacked Two People

In another case, on May 16, police were called to a residence in Lurnea following reports of an assault.

On arrival, officers attached to Liverpool City Police Area Command spoke to several people at the scene who told police a 16-year-old girl had assaulted two people.

The 16-year-old girl was arrested at the scene and taken to Liverpool Hospital for treatment for a minor injury.

Upon her release from hospital, she was taken back to Liverpool Police Station, where she was charged with two counts of common assault (DV) and two counts of contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (domestic).

The 16-year-old was granted conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on May 20.

Woman Charged With Common Assault

A 37-year-old woman was also taken to Liverpool Police Station where she was charged with common assault (DV) and was granted conditional bail to appear before Liverpool Local Court on May 21.

On May 17, police were conducting proactive duties and attended a home in Corrimal.

A Firearms Prohibition Order and a Weapons Prohibition Order were served on the occupants before police conducted a search of the home.

During the search police located and seized allegedly stolen number plates, an amount of prohibited drugs, and a knife.

Woman Charged With Multiple Offences

Meanwhile, a 43-year-old woman was arrested and charged with multiple offences.

She was given conditional bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court on June 25.

Inquiries are continuing and further arrests are anticipated.

Police Allege Woman Stabbed Man in Home

On May 17, officers attached to the Leichardt Police Area Command were called to a home in Lilyfield, following reports of an assault.

Upon arrival, police were told a 23-year-old woman had allegedly assaulted a 27-year-old man.

The man was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for treatment, while the woman was taken to Surry Hills Police Station where she was charged with common assault (DV).

She was granted conditional bail to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on May 29.

Man Extradited After Alleged Domestic Violence

In another case, police extradited a man to Sydney after he was arrested in Queensland over an alleged domestic violence related assault.

On May 8, a woman was allegedly repeatedly assaulted at a home in Roselands.

The woman was taken to Canterbury Hospital with fractured ribs, facial injuries, bruised kidney, as well as bruises to her torso and legs.

Officers from Campsie PAC have been investigating the alleged incident. Following inquiries, Queensland Police arrested a 31-year-old man on May 17 after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Police will allege the man stomped on the woman repeatedly during the assault.

Where to Seek Help

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 on 1800 333 000 or visit 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.