Seven people were arrested this week as part of Operation Surge – a three-day blitz targeting alleged domestic violence offenders across the Richmond Police District.

The operation brought together six specialist units, including the North Coast Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team, the Dog Unit, and the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit.

While the bomb squad might sound unusual in this context, police say the unit was deployed for its drone capability, which helps provide aerial surveillance during raids and monitor fleeing suspects.

According to police, some alleged offenders take extreme measures to evade arrest.  In this week’s operation, one man was allegedly found hiding inside a wardrobe.

Although no arrests were made in the Ballina Shire this week, police have confirmed that the wider operation will continue across the Northern Region and that all areas remain under active scrutiny.

Ballina has become a national and international leader in grassroots action against domestic violence, thanks to the efforts of Dave and Robyn Harmon and their Rotary Club of Ballina on Richmond. 

What began as a local initiative in 2018, after Dave attended the funeral of a woman killed by her partner, has grown into a movement adopted across Australia and the South Pacific.

The campaign’s standout success, Purple Friday, encourages locals to wear purple shirts weekly to show solidarity with victims and spark conversation. 

Senior police say the campaign has significantly raised awareness and resulted in measurable success in reducing levels of DV re-reporting.

The catalyst for the campaign’s broader visibility came after the tragic death of Lindy Lucena in early 2023 -Australia’s first domestic violence fatality that year.

The murder trial of Lindy’s accused partner, Robert Karl Huber, began this week in Coffs Harbour. 

Huber has pleaded not guilty to murder but admitted to assaulting Ms Lucena shortly before her death.

The trial, being heard by a judge alone in the Supreme Court, is expected to run for several weeks.

Main Photo: Police working with the Ballina community to raise awareness against domestic violence.

See our earlier story: Ballina Rotary is in the global spotlight for collaboration and leadership