Eight charged after Operation Ares knife-scanning operation in East Maitland

newy.com.au – Eight people have been charged with 16 shoplifting offences after police carried out an Operation Ares knife-scanning operation in the East Maitland CBD on Thursday 12 February 2026.

The high visibility deployment is part of a broader push to deter knife crime, with officers using handheld scanners to detect weapons and improve community safety under NSW’s “wanding” laws.

Between 11am and 9pm, officers attached to the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District conducted the operation in the Greenhills Business District, focusing on retail precincts.

Police stopped and scanned 84 people during the day, with three person searches carried out. Seven people were issued move on directions and 10 banning notices were issued.

In addition to the shoplifting charges, police seized 3.46g of cannabis leaf during the operation.

NSW’s wanding powers allow police to stop and scan people without a warrant in declared areas, including shopping precincts, public transport stations and certain sporting venues, as well as other public places set by regulation. A senior officer of assistant commissioner rank or above can declare a zone for up to 12 hours, with the option to extend in some circumstances.

As of September 2025, the NSW Government said 20,736 people had been scanned under Operation Ares since the laws began, with 207 weapons seized and 105 people charged with weapon offences, while 11 people were charged with failing to comply with the legislation.

Police said Operation Ares would continue to run in designated locations across NSW.