Close to 600 high-risk domestic violence offenders have been arrested by NSW Police in a major crackdown.
The police operation, known as Operation Amarok V, targeted offenders throughout the state from last Wednesday to Saturday.
It involved officers from every area command and district including proactive and specialist units.
Police arrested and charged 590 people with 1193 serious domestic violence offences throughout the four-day operation.
There have been 3000 offenders arrested since Operation Amarok began last year.
Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon said there was a “significant amount of police activity” involved in the latest series of arrests.
“When we commenced Operation Amarok we made it very clear, we were going to target those offenders that provided the greatest threat to victims,” he said.
“And it was about saying, ‘enough is enough’.”
“It was about reassuring victims that we want you to have the confidence to come forward knowing that the police would continue to take action.”
Of those apprehended in the latest operation, 229 were wanted for serious domestic and family violence offences.
Officers also conducted 131 firearm compliance searches and 5,493 apprehended domestic violence order checks.
Victims urged to come forward
Deputy Commissioner Lanyon encouraged victims of domestic violence to reach out to police.
“What I would like people to consider is this is about people that are offending against victims,” he said.
“To think that police can arrest that many people only demonstrates one, how seriously we take these offences, but, secondly, how significant an offence and how significant a concern this is for a community.”
“Can I assure victims, please come forward. You should not live in fear, you should not live worried about going from day-to-day.”
He added that there was “no safe place” for perpetrators of domestic violence “who wished to continue to harm victims”.
“NSW Police will target you and will arrest you,” he said.
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said the police’s efforts last week had resulted in “another successful Amarok Operation”.
“The NSW police are so committed to addressing domestic violence,” she said.
“As we know, one in four calls are domestic violence related. That is a terrible statistic and it’s one none of us wants to see.
“But it is the raw fact that it is the NSW Police that have to attend these domestic violence issues. And, as a result of that, have really put a concerted effort to addressing domestic violence right across the state.”
Ms Catley also “strongly encouraged” victims and those who are aware of domestic violence taking place to come forward.