Machete, pocket knife seized in Wollongong during Operation Ares

Friday, 28 November 2025 02:27:29 PM

A machete and a pocket knife were seized during a high-visibility police operation in Wollongong yesterday, under Operation Ares.

Operation Ares is a high visibility operation in which officers use handheld scanners, or electronic metal-detecting ‘wands’, to disrupt, detect and reduce knife crime.

On Thursday 27 November 2025, police attached to Wollongong Police District conducted the handheld scanning operation at Wollongong Railway Station and within Wollongong Shopping Precinct from 8am to 8pm.

During the operation, 83 people were scanned and 13 people were searched.

Incidents of note include:

During the operation, police attempted to speak to a 27-year-old on Crown Street, Wollongong. The man ran from police, and a foot pursuit commenced in which the man allegedly entered the backyards of residential properties. A short time later, police allegedly located and seized a machete following a search of the nearby area. Following inquiries, police arrested the man on Bellevue Road, Figtree. Police searched him and allegedly located a knife in his possession. The knife was seized. The 27-year-old was taken to Wollongong Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of custody of knife in public place and enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse. He was bail refused to appear before Bail Division Court 3 today (Friday 28 November 2025).

About 9.05am, police stopped a 30-year-old man on Crown Street, Wollongong. Following inquiries, police established the man had attended a supermarket from which he had been banned for life. The man was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse. He is due to appear before Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday 20 January 2026.

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