Sydney Police Raids on LGBTQIA+ Nightlife District Spark Outrage and Investigation

A Sydney MP has referred weekend drug raids on the city's LGBTQIA+ nightlife district to the police watchdog, citing concerns that the incident left the community feeling targeted and intimidated.

Video footage shows more than a dozen officers and a drug detection dog entering an Oxford Street venue on Saturday night. The MP for Sydney, Alex Greenwich, said the incident had sparked worries about police priorities and the intelligence used to justify the raids.

Raid Details

According to James Twigg, who was in one of the clubs raided by police, officers went through the whole venue, prompting many club-goers to leave out of discomfort. "I happened to be standing at the entrance of the nightclub and about 20 officers sort of stormed the entrance with the drug dog, kind of making us feel very, very uncomfortable," Mr Twigg said.

"You kind of think of those images of the 1970s and the way that the police dealt with the LGBT community there," he added. "You can only imagine the amount of money that would have been lost by the hospitality venue."

Police Response

NSW Police said officers searched 65 people during the night's "intelligence-led" operation, resulting in 28 drug detections, 12 fines issued, six cannabis cautions, and one move-on direction across multiple venues in the area.

Deputy Commissioner Peter McKenna rejected claims that the community was targeted, saying the weekend's operation went to 14 different licensed premises. "Five, maybe six of those may consider themselves a place that LGBTQIA+ communities frequent," he said.

"The same night, we had a drug dog operation in the King's Cross Precinct and across all of those licensed premises," Deputy Commissioner McKenna added. "I think there has been considerable exaggerations and I would say histrionics around this particular matter. We have to go everywhere. Otherwise, we would encourage drug suppliers."

Deputy Commissioner McKenna said he personally reviewed police body-worn camera footage of Saturday's raid and that officers were "polite, professional [and] unobtrusive".

MP's Concerns

Mr Greenwich questioned police priorities and what intelligence they relied on, noting similar raids in June during Pride Month. "Why so many police resources were deployed at LGBTQ venues that resulted in a handful of cautions and fine?" he said.

"James and a number of other people contacted me throughout Saturday night and throughout yesterday, talking about how they felt intimidated going out," Mr Greenwich added. "I think we really need a bit of a fresh approach because the police actions on the weekend really work against the government's vibrancy agenda."

Government Response

Premier Chris Minns said he did not believe NSW Police was "picking on any particular group" as part of the operation. "They do have to confront what is often trade in illegal substances," he said. "If there's going to be trade in illegal narcotics in Sydney institutions, then you can expect a response from police."

In a statement, a spokesperson for NSW Police said the Surry Hills Police Area Command remained committed to working collaboratively and respectfully with the local community, including the LGBTQIA+ community.