More than 600 people have been arrested and in excess of 1000 charges laid in a high-intensity police operation targeting repeat domestic violence offenders across NSW.

Operation Amarok II took place over four days last week and resulted in 644 people being arrested and 1100 charges being laid, Police Commissioner Karen Webb said on Wednesday.

About half of those arrested are considered among NSW’s most dangerous domestic violence offenders and a quarter had outstanding warrants for violent offences.

Officers seized 23 firearms and 45 weapons, Ms Webb said.

The arrests and charges are for domestic violence offences and other serious crimes including weapons offences.

“Let’s be clear, domestic violence is a crime. Our operation was targeting particularly those criminals who were repeat offenders,” she said,

“Arresting 644 people is protecting those victims from future violence.”

The force was congratulated on a successful operation by Police Minister Yasmin Catley.

“If you are a perpetrator of domestic violence, you can expect a knock on the door,” the Swansea MP said.

Talks were ongoing between police and government about how to better tackle domestic violence, including in the regions, where victims often suffered living long distances from police, Ms Catley said.

“As a regional MP, I think the regional police force are very lucky to have me as their police minister because I know acutely the tyranny of distance.”