Seven people have been charged during a high-visibility police operation in Tamworth.
Officers attached to Oxley Police District ran a targeted action under Operation Soteria from Thursday 23 October to Saturday 25 October 2025.
Operation Soteria, launched in May, involves 60 officers and rapid response units targeting offenders aged between 11 and 16 in nine designated areas. Up to 100 young “ringleaders” committing violent crimes in the state’s north and west are the target of the rapid-response strategy. The regional trouble spots identified are Moree, Tamworth, Dubbo, Orange, Tweed Heads, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Taree, and Newcastle.
Operation Soteria is intended to focus on aggravated break, enter and steal offences, stealing motor vehicles and “post-and-boast” offences where children used social media to gain notoriety for their crimes. An extra 20 officers will be available to supplement the unit in the form of surge operations each week, and PolAir and roaming-response units will also be used.
The high-visibility operation focused on preventing and disrupting crime through intelligence-led initiatives in the Tamworth area, with local police assisted by specialist officers from the Oxley Pro-active Crime Team, Domestic Violence High Risk Team and Youth Command, who participated in the two-day deployment.
Youth Command conducted four priority youth engagements and school visits, connecting with 20 known youth during the visit. As a result, five young people have committed to participating in the “Fit for Life” program, which aims to foster lasting positive outcomes and personal growth.
Seven people were charged with a total of 18 offences following the activities. There were a further ten people issued with Court Attendance Notices for a further 18 offences. Police conducted ten person searches and completed a combined total of 46 apprehended domestic violence checks and bail compliance checks.
While the activities under Operation Soteria are intended to be youth focus, the two arrests of note highlighted by NSW Police were both of adults.
About 7am on Thursday 23 October 2025, a 47-year-old man was arrested on Armidale Road, East Tamworth, and charged with stalk, intimidate, common assault (DV), contravene restriction in a domestic apprehended violence order (three counts) and use carriage service to menace, harass, offend. He was refused bail to appear before Tamworth Local Court on Friday 3 November 2025.
About 12pm on Friday 24 October 2025 a 21-year-old woman was arrested on Crown Street, West Tamworth and charged with four outstanding arrest warrants for traffic and drug offences. She was refused bail to appear before the Tamworth Local Court on 5 November.
Inquiries under Operation Soteria continue.
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