Operation Shelter made permanent

The NSW government will make Operation Shelter permanent, transitioning it into a 250-officer rapid response unit within the NSW Police Force following the Bondi Beach terror attack and rising religiously motivated incidents across the state.

Operation Shelter was first launched following the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led onslaught in southern Israel, which led to heightened tensions in Sydney, including large protests and a rise in antisemitic incidents.

Premier Chris Minns said the decision would ensure police were “always ready” to respond to threats, patrol high-risk areas and protect places of worship and major events.

“Operation Shelter has worked. Making it permanent means we’re building on what we know delivers real results,” Minns said.

“People want to see police where it matters, at major events, near places of worship, and in busy public spaces. This ensures that presence is consistent, because our security challenges have changed and our policing model needs to change with them.”