‘It’s not safe to go out’: NSW Police have raided Oxford Street (again)

New South Wales Police (once again) had a heavy presence on Oxford Street on Saturday night. Targeting gay and queer spaces to “proactively disrupt and address drug supply” and “antisocial behaviour” — the second time in three months.

On Sunday, community members alerted QNews to a series of incidents taking place on the LGBTQ+ precinct on Saturday evening. Accounts claimed there was an excessively heavy police presence outside queer and gay venues and that police had sniffer dogs targeting individuals.

Instastories showed up to fifteen officers standing outside Universal, captioned “15 police officers, for what? Nightlife in Sydney”.

It is estimated that up to eighteen police officers entered ARQ with sniffer dogs while the dancefloor was full as part of the operation.

People stopped dancing and filmed the officers while they were in the venue. Reports say Palms, Beresford and Kinselas were also targeted.

Gay Sydney Daily reports a female police officer was heard saying “I don’t want to be here”.

‘Our focus is on reducing violence, crime, and fear’

The NSW Police operation aims “to proactively disrupt drug supply and address drug-related crime, including violent crime, and anti-social behaviour”.

During the operation, police issued 12 fines, searched 65 people, resulting in 28 drug detections, issued six cannabis cautions and issued one move-on direction.

This is the second police operation of this kind to hit Oxford Street in three months, prompting the community to ask if straight venues in Surry Hills are targeted so vigorously.

In a statement, NSW Police said, “Officers conducted 15 business inspections, identifying four licensing breaches and one minor located inside a licenced premise”.

“Surry Hills PAC remains committed to working in a collaborative, respectful, and supportive manner with our local community, including our LGBTQIA+ community and licensed premises.”

“Through ongoing engagement and partnership, our focus is on reducing violence, crime, and fear, while ensuring Surry Hills continues to be a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all.”

Related content:

• NSW Police forced to reopen misconduct investigation into Oxford Street gay bar raids
• Politicians call out continued over policing of Oxford Street
• Community reports over-policing on Oxford St during Pride Month

‘Now I question whether to go out on Oxford Street at all’

The Oxford Street precinct was a beacon of LGBTQ+ nightlife in Sydney for many years. Yes, it leaned more towards the G than the rest of the acronym, but was undeniably a queer-centred space built by and for the community.

Now, businesses in the Oxford Street precinct continue to struggle.

Ongoing redevelopment issues have seen queer spaces permanently close their doors; “the straights” have tried to take over the street as queer and gay businesses try to reinvigorate Oxford Street nightlife. 

Surry Hills resident Bob told QNews that seeing such a huge police presence outside and in queer and gay venues makes him not want to try and go out on the strip.

“It’s not safe to go out anymore; you can’t even walk down the street without worrying about the police,” he said. “Seeing that many police officers standing outside a queer venue reminds us just how unsafe we are, even on Oxford Street.”

“It’s killing our nightlife. You want to go out with friends on a Saturday night and see that many police outside a venue, you automatically cross the street. You don’t go in. And what does that do to the business? How are they supposed to make money?”

“Now I question whether to go out on Oxford Street at all.”

‘About twenty officers stormed the entrance with the drug dogs’

James Twigg, who was at ARQ and followed the police when they raided the venue, spoke to Hamish Macdonald on ABC radio Monday morning, saying the police’s attitude was “aggressive, and it was just unnecessary“.

“Around midnight, I happened to be standing at the entrance of the nightclub, and about twenty officers stormed the entrance with the drug dogs, making us feel very, very uncomfortable,” he said.

“You kind of think of those images of the 1970s and the way that the police dealt with the LGBT community. The sad thing was that they went through the whole venue, and half the venue ended up leaving. So you can only imagine the amount of money that would have been lost by the hospitality venue due to this aggressive behaviour.”

Twigg said that after witnessing NSW police’s behaviour, “I don’t agree that they’re actually trying to help us”.

Reflecting on the raid, independent MP for Sydney, Alex Greenwich asked Macdonald, “What was it trying to prevent?”

“So many police resources were deployed at LGBTQ venues that resulted in a handful of cautions and fines? I question the resourcing here, and I’m deeply concerned about the policing approach as well.”

Greenwich highlighted that people had contacted him since the incident, saying they felt intimidated going out.

“We really need a bit of a fresh approach because the police actions on the weekend really work against the government’s vibrancy agenda,” he said.

“From correspondence received by my office over the weekend and through social media, it does sound like there was some inappropriate policing. I have heard stories of people being questioned as to why they are leaving a venue, then dogs called over to see if there are any drugs on them. Negative results as a result of that.”

Police forced to reopen June misconduct investigation

Greenwich called for the questioning of why people were going out to have “a good night in Sydney needs to stop”.

“To have dozens of police arrive at a venue for a promoter who is trying to start a new party to try to activate a space. Of course, what happens is these parties just completely clear out.”

The last time NSW Police led sniffer dogs through Sydney queer and gay venues was in June, when ninety-three people were searched.

Greenwich co-signed a letter with Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, citing that the volume of complaints about police behaviour they recieved was the highest they had seen in over a decade.

 

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Mr Greenwich said community members are feeling traumatised and less trusting of police, all while undermining drug harm minimisation.

New South Wales’ police watchdog, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission,  forced NSW Police to reopen a misconduct investigation into the raids, after allegations of “heavy-handed” and “aggressive” behaviour found no evidence of misconduct.

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, and community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.