More than 1,400 Highway Patrol police will be dedicated to both static and mobile Covid-19 compliance operations, while a further 500 Australian Defence Force troops, in addition to the 300 already deployed, will assist with compliance checks and patrols.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott, said the NSW Government was supporting the Commissioner’s call for assistance in the most practical way.
“We’ve had to tighten the current public health orders because of the minority who exploited them. Enough is enough. If you do it, you will get fined,” he said.
“The only way out of this Covid-19 crisis is if we support each other and support the NSW Police-led compliance operation, Operation Say at home.”
Deputy Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the operation would see more police utilising some of the strongest powers ever given to police.
“The level of non-compliance by some members of the community is unacceptable and we will be doubling down with compliance and enforcement to make sure we get ahead of the Delta strain,” Deputy Commissioner Lanyon said.
“It only takes one person to do the wrong thing to facilitate considerable spread of the virus.
“We will be issuing $5,000 fines to people and closing any businesses which continue to breach the health orders, and will not apologise for these increased enforcement efforts going forward.”
Mayor Steve Christou says the infection numbers are catastrophic with no end in sight and the extended lockdowns are “not working and people’s lives are being ruined”.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a Covid-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
