Knife, scissors seized, one man charged in Lake Macquarie Operation

newy.com.au – Police seized a knife and a pair of scissors, arrested one man and issued multiple directions during a high visibility operation using handheld scanners across Lake Macquarie on Thursday 4 September 2025, NSW Police said.

Police said the Operation Ares deployment aimed to detect and reduce knife crime by using electronic metal‑detecting wands in public places. Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District, assisted by Police Transport Command North Central and Youth Command, stopped and scanned 130 people at several locations across the district.

According to police, the operation resulted in a knife and scissors being detected and seized. One man was arrested and charged, another man is expected to receive a future Court Attendance Notice, a teenager was dealt with under the Young Offenders Act, and eight people were issued move‑on directions.

Police said that about 12.45pm on Thursday officers responded to a fast‑food restaurant on the Pacific Highway at Belmont, where they spoke with a 16‑year‑old boy. Following inquiries, the boy allegedly produced a folding knife, which was seized. He will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

About 1pm at Glendale, a 44‑year‑old man was stopped and scanned. During a subsequent search, police allegedly located and seized scissors. Police said the man is expected to be issued a future Court Attendance Notice for possess offensive implement in public place.

In a separate incident about 3pm at Glendale, police stopped and scanned a 44‑year‑old man and allegedly located 0.56g cannabis, approximately 0.6g methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a power tool suspected of being stolen. Police said the man was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug, possession of equipment for administering prohibited drugs and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen. He was also charged with two counts of contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO over unrelated matters. He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 2 on Friday 5 September 2025.

Lake Macquarie Police District Commander, Superintendent Tracy Chapman, said knife crime would not be tolerated by police. “Knife crime has devastating consequences and will not be tolerated in our community. Operation Ares is about stopping weapons before they can be used and sending a strong message that carrying them is unacceptable.”

“The community deserves to feel safe when they’re out and about. Yesterday’s operation shows the kind of proactive policing we are doing to keep dangerous items off our streets and hold offenders accountable.

“If you choose to carry a knife or weapon, expect to be stopped, scanned, and dealt with by police.”

Minister for Police and Counter‑terrorism Yasmin Catley said the results were a clear indication of how seriously police were taking the issue of knives on the streets, particularly in Charlestown. “We’ve seen the devastating impact knife violence has on communities. Lives have been lost, futures destroyed and loved ones left to pick up the pieces. This is something we take very seriously.”

“Our police are working tirelessly to keep people safe and I want to thank them for their ongoing dedication. The NSW Government is backing them with the tools and powers they need – powers that enabled yesterday’s operation in Charlestown.

“Carrying a knife in public is not a joke and it’s a serious offence with life‑altering consequences. This operation sends a strong message that if you leave the house with a knife, police might stop you and if they do, you’ll face the toughest knife crime penalties in the country.”

Police said similar operations would continue across the Lake Macquarie area targeting knife crime, the possession of weapons and anti‑social behaviour.