The use of handheld scanners by local police has resulted in the seizure of drugs and three knives in the Illawarra and South Coast

Operation Ares is a high visibility operation where officers use handheld scanners – or electronic metal-detecting ‘wands’.

Last Thursday, officers attached to Wollongong Police District conducted a handheld scanning operation at Wollongong CBD, train station and surrounding shopping precinct between 10am and 10pm

Two weapons were detected and seized, 291 people were scanned and eight charges were laid, including custody of a knife in a public place, possess prohibited drug and shoplifting

Police allegedly seized a knife in the pocket of a 37-year-old man in Crown Street Mall. He was issued with a court attendance notice for custody of a knife in a public place to appear in Wollongong Local Court on 19 August.

As part of the operatiokn, police also stopped a 44-year-old man and allegedly located a knife in his pocket. He was issued with a court attendance notice for custody of a knife in a public place to appear in Wollongong Local Court on 5 August.

They also found a small ziplock bag of cannabis on a 35-year-old man, who will appear in Wollongong Local Court on 19 August.

Officers attached to Southern Region Operation Support Group and Police Transport Command conducted a handheld scanning operation in Nowra CBD and shopping precincts in Bomaderry CBD, train station and shopping precinct, between 8am and 4pm on Thursday as well.

One weapon was detected and seized, 84 people were scanned, four were searched and a Firearms Prohibition Order person search was conducted.

A 24-year-old man who was wanted for questioning was taken to Nowra Police Station and charged with assault, following an alleged incident on 15 June in Bomaderry. He was granted conditional bail to appear in Nowra Local Court on 29 July.

The operation was run concurrently with the state-wide Operation Foil targeting locations known for violent offending, knife crime, possession of weapons and anti-social behaviour.