A major police operation in Avalon ended with a 44-year-old man taken to hospital for a mental health assessment after specialist officers responded to a residential property in Therry Street.
Specialist Units Called To Therry Street
NSW Police and NSW Ambulance were called to the Avalon Beach property shortly after 3:45 pm on Saturday, 9 May, following reports of an armed man making threats of harm to himself and others.
The incident took place at a home in Therry Street, a cul-de-sac off George Street. As the response developed, officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command were joined by specialist police, including the Tactical Operations Unit, the Public Order and Riot Unit, and police negotiators.
NSW Ambulance paramedics equipped for tactical operations also attended the scene.
The street was blocked off while emergency crews managed the response. Nearby residents reported hearing yelling from the property before police arrived, but the position of the home up a steep driveway limited visibility from the street.
Avalon Police Operation Draws Local Attention
The number of sirens and emergency vehicles drew residents and other locals towards the area as the operation continued. People gathered nearby on foot, on e-bikes and in cars, with Therry Street becoming congested at one stage.
Police directed onlookers to move well away from the scene while officers worked to bring the incident under control.
Police later clarified that the man was alone inside the property and that the public was not at risk. They also indicated that mental health was a significant factor in the incident.
Man Taken For Assessment After Taser Deployment
Negotiators were used during the operation, which continued for about two hours. Shortly after 5:45 pm, the man was subdued with a taser, restrained and brought out of the property.
He was placed into an intensive care ambulance and taken under police escort to Northern Beaches Hospital shortly after 6 pm for a mental health assessment.
No injuries were reported.
Police later said the matter had concluded with the man taken for assessment, and indicated that no further details would be provided due to the sensitive nature of the incident.
Published 11-May-2026
