A manhunt is underway after a 25-year-old was attacked with a tool outside a shopping centre in NSW’s north.
A massive operation titled Operation Whiskey Legion will begin on Monday to control crime across the Gold Coast.
These actions are to ensure community safety at a time of unease in the wake of the Sydney stabbing attacks.
This will be a multi-agency effort, with patrols being flown in from all over the state.
There will be increased police presence at shopping centres, transport hubs and public areas aimed at targeting high harm crimes such as robbery, assault and vehicle theft.
The operation previously ran in Logan and Ipswich for 10 days, resulting in 500 arrests – 72 of those were juveniles.
Emergency services were called to Minjungbal Drive in Tweed Heads at about 3.30pm on Thursday, following reports of an altercation.
Police were told several people were involved in the incident, which had led to a man being injured.
The 25-year-old was treated for facial injuries at the Tweed City Shopping Centre before being rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital.
He may surgery to mend a cut near his right eye, according to news.com.au.
A man was attacked with a tool at Tweed City Shopping Centre on Thursday afternoon. Picture: Google Maps
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According to reports on social media, the attack involved a machete, with one user on X (formerly Twitter) claiming their son’s friend had to help with first aid after the attack.
“Holy shit..my sons (sic) friend just told him he had to help a person with first aid after a machette (sic) attack at our local shopping centre.. at tweed heads (sic)…police cars flying down there and ambos too…its all happening here in my lil town..” they wrote.
Tweed Byron Police District Chief Inspector Matt Kehoe told the ABC this incident was not comparable to the Bondi Junction stabbings where a man went on a rampage in a mall.
“It wasn’t a significant incident – albeit a weapon was produced and a person has received some injuries,” he said.
“Police responded very quickly and this is certainly not an incident like we saw in Bondi, it is perhaps a dispute between a couple of people that got out of hand.
“It is always concerning when there is a weapon in a public place but the public can be assured police were there immediately after it was reported and quickly contained the scene.”
Authorities believe they know who the perpetrator is, according to Inspector Kehoe, and are urging him to come forward.
Police are calling for those with phone or dash cam footage of the incident to contact local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.