POLICE have made 551 arrests, laid 642 charges, seized 84 firearms and carried out almost 15,000 AVO compliance checks across the state during a four-day domestic and family violence blitz.
The intelligence-based policing strategy Operation Amarok, targeting high-risk offenders, came with a twist this time though.
Police turned their attention to education during the days of action between Wednesday, August 21, and Saturday, August 24.
Officers presented to more than 10,000 students at 120 schools - including in the Lake Macquarie and Hunter areas - on respectful relationships and coercive control.
NSW Police executive sponsor for domestic and family violence, Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell, said educating the next generation was just as important as locking up offenders.
"Kids are our future and teaching them about domestic violence early gives them the power to break the cycle," he said.
The latest blitz was the seventh under Operation Amarok, led by the Domestic and Family Violence Registry with the backing of Domestic Violence High-Risk Offenders Teams from each region, anti-bikie police from the Raptor Squad, Youth Command, highway patrol and the transport command.
Police arrested 551 people across NSW in the four days, laid 642 charges, carried out more than 16,000 bail checks and domestic-related AVO checks, and seized 84 firearms.
Deputy Commissioner Thurtell said the high number of arrests was not the only measure of the operation's success.
"While the intent of Amarok is to ensure we hold our most serious domestic violence offenders to account, prevention of domestic violence crimes is our key aim," he said.
"Our officers conducted thousands of interactions with both victims and perpetrators across the state, ensuring police remain highly visible and offenders know they are never out of our sights."
He reassured the community that all police were focused on preventing domestic violence and engaging with the community on a daily basis, not just during these targeted operations.
Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Port Stephens Hunter police posted public appeals for information on their social media feeds across the four days, of at least 15 people facing outstanding warrants across the three districts.
Anyone with information about domestic and family violence offenders should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online. Information is treated in strict confidence.
Reports of domestic and family-related crime or abuse can be made by contacting or attending the local police station near you. In an emergency, call triple zero (000).
Information about the NSW Police response to domestic and family violence can be found on the force's website.
- Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732.
