Police deny targeting LGBTQIA+ community after weekend nightclub raids

In short:

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Peter McKenna has defended drug raids on nightclubs in Sydney's LGBTQIA+ district and denied suggestions they were targeting the community.

Club-goers say they felt targeted and intimidated by more than a dozen officers who entered one club on Saturday night.

It comes after similar raids in June prompted the police watchdog to order an investigation into police conduct.

A Sydney NSW MP is referring weekend drug raids on the city's LGBTQIA+ nightlife district to the police watchdog, saying the incident left the community feeling targeted and intimidated.

Video taken by James Twigg, who was in one club raided by police, shows more than a dozen officers and a drug detection dog entering an Oxford Street venue on Saturday night.

Mr Twigg told 702 ABC Sydney the 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.

"You can only imagine the amount of money that would have been lost by the hospitality venue."

NSW Police says 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.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Peter McKenna rejected claims the queer 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," Deputy Commissioner McKenna told 702 ABC Sydney Mornings.

"The same night, we had a drug dog operation in the King's Cross Precinct and across all of those licensed premises.

"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 questions police priorities

However, NSW Member for Sydney Alex 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?" Mr Greenwich said.

"James and a number of other people contacted me throughout Saturday night and throughout yesterday, talking about how they felt intimidated going out.

"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."

Mr Greenwich and Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore referred the June searches to the Law Enforcement Crime Commission (LECC), during which some club-goers reported being shoved, pushed against walls and forced to remove clothing in full public view.

NSW Police did its own investigation into the June 13 raids and found there was no aggression or unlawful conduct, according to Deputy Commissioner McKenna.

However, the police watchdog forced the misconduct investigation to be reopened, invoking statutory powers to direct NSW Police to investigate.

Premier rejects accusation of community targeting

Premier Chris Minns told a press conference on Monday 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," Mr Minns 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.