A 38-year-old man has been arrested in New South Wales, Australia, after allegedly bringing a knife into Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport and later becoming involved in a violent confrontation with police officers. The incident raises fresh concerns about security breaches at regional airport terminals and the risks faced by officers responding to armed individuals in public spaces.

Police say the man breached terminal security at around 9.30am on Monday, prompting a search in which officers allegedly seized a knife and a saw. He was issued a move-on direction and left the airport, only to return a short time later, when a scuffle broke out; he was restrained, and a senior constable needed treatment for minor injuries. The man was taken to Lismore Base Hospital before being discharged and charged with six offences, including assaulting police causing actual bodily harm, possessing a knife in public and using an offensive weapon to resist detention. He was refused bail and was due to appear in court on Tuesday.