Police have charged two people during proactive patrols and knife detection operations across the Hunter region under Operation Foil.
About 8:15am on Wednesday, 1 April 2026, officers patrolling Ocean Street at Merewether spotted a man allegedly carrying what appeared to be a bladed weapon. When he noticed police, the man allegedly fled on foot.
Following a search of the area, police located a 41-year-old man near a nearby unit block. During a search, officers allegedly seized a bladed instrument along with a small quantity of methamphetamine (0.22g).
He was issued a Court Attendance Notice for custody of a knife in a public place (subsequent offence) and possession of a prohibited drug. He is scheduled to appear before Newcastle Local Court on 14 May 2026.
Later that day, about 2:35pm, police were conducting a knife scanning operation on King Street in Newcastle West when they stopped a 32-year-old woman.
During the scan, officers allegedly located and seized a small box cutter. The woman was also issued a Court Attendance Notice for custody of a knife in a public place (subsequent offence).
She is due to appear before Newcastle Local Court on 23 April 2026.
Operation Foil is part of ongoing efforts by police to target knife-related offences and enhance public safety across the region.
