South Windsor man arrested in major crackdown on domestic violence

A South Windsor man has been charged with domestic violence and firearms offences as part of a four-day high-impact operation that resulted in almost 600 people being charged with serious domestic violence-related offences. 

Operation Amarok III, an intelligence-based policing strategy, targeted some of NSW’s most dangerous domestic violence offenders and took place from July 12 to July 15, 2023. The operation involved officers from all police area commands and districts in NSW, as well as various proactive and specialist units.

NSW Police Corporate Sponsor for Domestic and Family Violence, Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon, said  more than half the state’s murders being domestic violence-related. “This type of offending is violent, confronting, and targeted,” he said.

During the operation, a total of 592 people were arrested, with charges ranging from domestic violence-related offences to prohibited firearm and weapon possession, and drug-related offences. Of those arrested, 139 were identified as among NSW’s most dangerous domestic violence offenders, while 103 had outstanding warrants for violent offences.

One arrest occurred in South Windsor. Responding to recent reports of domestic violence, officers from the Hawkesbury Proactive Crime Team attended a residence in South Windsor on July 13, 2023, at approximately 10 am. They served a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) on a 42-year-old man and subsequently conducted a search of the property. The search led to the discovery of a loaded bolt action .22-calibre rifle fitted with a suppressor under a kickboard in the kitchen, a homemade pistol in a bedroom, and various types of ammunition. 

South Windsor man one of 600 charged with serious domestic violence related offences.

The man was arrested and charged with multiple firearm-related offences, including not keeping a firearm safely, possessing unauthorised prohibited firearms, and possessing ammunition without a license/permit/authority. He appeared at Penrith Local Court on July 14, 2023, where he was refused bail.

The Minister for Police and Counter Terrorism, Yasmin Catley, said with more than 139,000 calls for police assistance and over 33,000 actual domestic-related assaults every year, the issue of domestic and family violence cannot be understated. “These figures show this is an epidemic. We know domestic and family violence is one of the most underreported crime types,” Ms Catley said.

The south Windsor man was also charged with multiple firearms offences.

Deputy Commissioner Lanyon, said Operation Amarok is a key strategy in preventing serious harm to victims. “In order to ensure the safety of actual and potential victims of domestic and family violence, Operation Amarok is a deliberate strategy targeting the most dangerous offenders,” Deputy Commissioner Lanyon said. “While any form of domestic and family violence is unacceptable, those offenders who pose the greatest threat to victims, those who continue to offend, and those who commit serious criminal offences are firmly in our sights,” he said.

For additional information and support, victims of domestic and family violence can contact 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit https://www.1800respect.org.au. 

Reports of domestic and family-related crime or abuse can be made by contacting or visiting your local police station. In emergencies, please dial Triple Zero (000).

Anyone with information relating to domestic and family-related violence is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.