A three-day police operation targeting high-risk domestic violence offenders in New South Wales has resulted in 681 arrests and 1,594 charges, with officers seizing 73 firearms and 21 other weapons.
Operation Amarok, an ongoing intelligence-led program that began in 2023, saw officers check compliance with 11,375 apprehended domestic violence orders (ADVOs), finding 283 breaches.
Among those arrested was a 39-year-old man accused of breaching bail and an ADVO when he allegedly assaulted and choked a 26-year-old woman while armed with a pistol, detaining her at a Coraki home earlier this month. He was arrested at a Goonellabah home on Friday. In Sydney’s west, a 38-year-old man was arrested at Harris Park on Saturday and charged with domestic violence-related common assault and carrying out a sexual act without consent.
Police Minister Yasmin Catley said the results showed the tireless work of police to keep the community safe, including by removing weapons from alleged high-risk offenders. “But they’re responding at the crisis end,” she said. “We need a whole-of-community effort to call out this vile offending and help prevent it before it occurs.”
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said anyone experiencing domestic or family violence, or those concerned for a loved one’s safety, should contact police for support. “Our message is clear: domestic and family violence will not be tolerated, and offenders can expect to be identified, targeted and brought before the courts,” McKenna said.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The scale of the operation highlights the prevalence of domestic violence in NSW and the ongoing effort to address it.
- Seizing 73 firearms removes potential lethality from high-risk situations.
- The operation underscores the need for community involvement beyond policing.
Background
Domestic and family violence is a serious and persistent issue in Australia. Operation Amarok is an intelligence-led NSW Police initiative launched in 2023 to target high-risk domestic violence offenders. The program focuses on compliance checks and proactive arrests. This blitz occurred over three days in November 2026.
What to Watch
- Whether the arrests lead to successful prosecutions and the impact on recidivism.
- Potential expansion of Operation Amarok or similar programs in other states.
- Continued community and government focus on prevention measures.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe operation resulted in 681 arrests.WA Today - Latest News: “The NSW Police Operation Amarok, targeting high-risk domestic violence offenders, led to 681 arrests and 1594 charges being laid.”
- SupportedPolice seized 73 firearms.WA Today - Latest News: “NSW Police Officers seized 73 firearms and 21 other weapons during the blitz between Thursday and Saturday last week.”
- SupportedPolice checked compliance with 11,375 ADVOs.WA Today - Latest News: “Police checked compliance with 11,375 apprehended domestic violence orders, finding 283 breaches.”
- SupportedThe checks found 283 breaches.WA Today - Latest News: “Police checked compliance with 11,375 apprehended domestic violence orders, finding 283 breaches.”
- SupportedThe operation led to 1,594 charges.WA Today - Latest News: “The NSW Police Operation Amarok, targeting high-risk domestic violence offenders, led to 681 arrests and 1594 charges being laid.”
- SupportedPolice seized 21 other weapons.WA Today - Latest News: “NSW Police Officers seized 73 firearms and 21 other weapons during the blitz between Thursday and Saturday last week.”
- SupportedCatley said, “But they’re responding at the crisis end.”WA Today - Latest News: ““But they’re responding at the crisis end,” she said.”
- SupportedCatley said, “We need a whole-of-community effort to call out this vile offending and help prevent it before it occurs.”WA Today - Latest News: ““We need a whole-of-community effort to call out this vile offending and help prevent it before it occurs.””
- SupportedMcKenna said, “Our message is clear: domestic and family violence will not be tolerated, and offenders can expect to be identified, targeted and brought before the courts.”WA Today - Latest News: ““Our message is clear: domestic and family violence will not be tolerated, and offenders can expect to be identified, targeted and brought before the courts,” McKenna said.”
- SupportedA 39-year-old man was accused of breaching bail and an ADVO while allegedly assaulting and choking a 26-year-old woman with a pistol at a Coraki home earlier that month.WA Today - Latest News: “Among the arrests, a 39-year-old man accused of breaching bail and an apprehended domestic violence order when allegedly assaulting and choking a 26-year-old woman while armed with a pistol as he detained her at a Coraki home in the NSW Northern Rivers earlier this month.”
- SupportedThe 39-year-old man was arrested at a Goonellabah home on Friday.WA Today - Latest News: “He was arrested at a Goonellabah home on Friday afternoon.”
- SupportedA 38-year-old man was arrested at Harris Park on Saturday and charged with domestic violence-related common assault and carrying out a sexual act without consent.WA Today - Latest News: “In Sydney’s west at Harris Park, a 38-year-old man was arrested on Saturday afternoon and charged with domestic violence-related common assault and carrying out a sexual act without consent.”