A man has been charged over a carjacking in Newcastle on Friday.
About 1.15am (Friday 9 November 2018), four men who are known to each other were in a Holden Commodore on Hansen Place, Shortland, when the driver stopped and got out of the vehicle.
A 27-year-old man in the passenger seat was then allegedly threatened with a knife by the two other passengers.
The man was forced from the vehicle by the two men, who then drove it from the scene. No injuries were suffered.
Police from Newcastle City Police District commenced an investigation.
About 7pm yesterday (Saturday 10 November 2018), a 23-year-old man was arrested at Speers Point.
He was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with aggravated robbery, possess prohibited drug and disqualified driving.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Sunday 11 November 2018).
Inquiries continue to locate the second offender.
A stabbing incident in the CBD this afternoon that has left one person deceased is being treated as terror related at this stage.
Emergency services responded to reports of a car fire in Bourke Street about 4.10pm.
As police officers got out of their vehicle, they were confronted by a male who began a physical altercation with them.
The man fled on foot and was chased by police, he then lunged at police with a knife.
Police shot the 30-year-old and he was taken to hospital in a critical condition but he has since died.
The man was known to Victoria Police and federal intelligence authorities by way of his family associations.
Three men were stabbed during the incident.
One man, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene.
A 24-year-old and a 58-year-old have been taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
A police officer was treated for a minor injury at the scene.
The Bomb Response Unit attended and have deemed the burnt vehicle safe and a crime scene has been set up.
Road blocks in the area are expected to remain in place throughout the night and members of the public are asked to avoid the area on Bourke Street between Russell and Swanston Streets.
Counter Terrorism Command in conjunction with the Homicide Squad will investigate the incident but police do not perceive any ongoing threats at this stage.
There will be an increased police presence around the CBD and at major events in the coming days so the public can feel comfortable going about their business.
If members of the public have images or video footage that may assist police with their investigation into the incident, they are encouraged to upload them here → https://vpupload.fotoware.com.au/
Anyone with information is also urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Members of the public who witnessed the event and wish to make a statement are asked to attend Melbourne West Police Station at 313 Spencer Street, Melbourne.
A man has allegedly been caught drink-driving more than five times the legal limit in Belmont yesterday.
Police will allege a man was refused entry about 2.15pm (Friday 9 November 2018), to a licensed premises on the Pacific Highway, Belmont, before he left the area in a Subaru station wagon.
Hotel staff notified police and officers from the Lake Macquarie Highway Patrol Command observed the vehicle a short time later in a carpark on Macquarie Street, Belmont.
After a conversation with the man, he returned a positive reading to a roadside breath test and was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station.
He underwent a breath analysis and returned an alleged reading of 0.263.
The 34-year-old man was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice for the offence of high-range PCA and is due to appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 5 December 2018.
Investigations are continuing after a large amount of dried cannabis leaf and 12 cannabis plants were seized from a home in Newcastle.
About 11:15am yesterday (Friday 9 November 2018), officers from Newcastle City Police District executed a search warrant at a house on Teralba Road, Broadmeadow.
During the search, officers located and seized 12 cannabis plants, over 21kg of dried cannabis, a quantity of steroids, ketamine and a large quantity of hydroponic equipment.
No persons were found in the home.
A crime scene was established, and police identified unmetered power sources being used in the operation.
Investigations have commenced, and inquiries continue.
A man will face court next month after being charged with fraud and intimidation offences in the Lake Macquarie area.
Police from Lake Macquarie Police District received a complaint about a fundraising scheme established in July 2018 to benefit drought-stricken farmers.
A donation event was held to raise money and collect goods at a park near Newcastle.
Following the event, police will allege a member involved in the scheme attempted to speak to the organiser about the expenditure of funds and was intimidated.
It will also be alleged personal items were purchased with some of the money raised.
During the course of the investigation, a senior constable was allegedly harassed.
Following inquiries, about 8am today (Friday 9 November 2018), detectives attended a home on Fourth Street, Boolaroo, and arrested a 36-year-old man after he attempted to flee.
He was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with seven offences including dishonestly obtain property by deception (x3), stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm, intimidate police officer in execution of duty, obtain personal information about officer, and resist officer in execution of duty.
The man was granted conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 5 December 2018.
Investigations are ongoing.
Police are currently at an incident on Bourke Street in the Melbourne CBD. Police 
initially responded to a report of a car on fire near the corner of Swanston Street about 4.20pm. A man was arrested at the scene and has been taken to hospital under police guard in a critical condition. Police are not looking for anyone further at this early stage. A small number of people are being treated for stab wounds.
The exact circumstances are yet to be determined at this stage. The area has been cordoned off and the public are urged to avoid the area. Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident is asked to go to Melbourne West Police Station to make a statement. We will provide further information when it comes to hand.
The NSW Police Force are leading the national conversation on policing domestic-violence related incidents with the launch of the inaugural Australasian Police Domestic Violence Forum.
On Tuesday (13 November 2018), representatives from the NSW Police Force will be joined by international guests from New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, to continue the conversation around domestic and family violence.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller APM, will open the three-day forum and says the initiative is designed to address the changing landscape of policing incidents of domestic and family violence.
“The aim of the forum is to provide an opportunity for police across Australia, New Zealand and abroad, to have a frank and open conversation about the challenges officers face when they respond to a domestic-related incident,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“Domestic and family violence is a crime that does not discriminate, and with the assistance of local and international partners, we are continuing to improve policing to protect victims and bring perpetrators to justice.”
NSW Police Corporate Sponsor for Domestic and Family Violence, Assistant Commissioner Mark Jones APM, said officers see first hand the effect domestic violence incidents have on families every day.
“Unfortunately, it is a crime that continues to dominate police time, with officers responding to more than 126,000 domestic-related incidents over the last 12 months,” said Assistant Commissioner Jones.
“The inaugural Australasian Police Domestic Violence Forum will allow us to continue the conversation into the most effective way of policing such crimes.
“With White Ribbon Day around the corner it is a timely reminder for everyone to never underestimate the significant role you can play in addressing domestic and family violence; what you know could save someone’s life,” said Assistant Commissioner Jones.
The forum will run from Tuesday (13 November 2018) until Thursday (15 November 2018), in the lead up to the annual White Ribbon campaign.
White Ribbon Day (Friday 23 November 2018), also makes the start of 16 Days of Activism – an international campaign calling for an end to violence against women, concluding with International Human Rights Day on Monday 10 December 2018.
As summer approaches, a new police jet ski squadron will be out in force to prioritise and improve marine safety across the state’s waterways.
The NSW Police Marine Area Commander, Superintendent Mark Hutchings, was joined today (Thursday 8 November 2018) by Minister for Police Troy Grant, and NSW Maritime Services, to unveil 14 new jet skis which will be used by the new Marine Enforcement Team (MET).
The MET is a dedicated mobile response unit that will be deployed to reduce marine-related crime and ensure safer waterways across NSW.
The team will be comprised of officers from the Marine Area Command and will be primarily located within the Sydney Metropolitan area, as well as Newcastle and Port Stephens, during the boating season.
The MET will also have capabilities to deploy into waterways across the state when required.
Marine Area Commander Superintendent Mark Hutchings said the Marine Enforcement Team is an additional resource that will allow officers to focus on proactive policing.
“With summer only a few weeks away, and the hot weather already here, these new jet skis will boost the capability of officers to target those that commit dangerous or anti-social activity on our waterways,” said Supt Hutchings.
“The Marine Enforcement Team is a specialist unit within the Marine Area Command and will be conducting regular, planned and high-visibility police operations throughout the warmer months.
“Police will be on the water throughout the season to enforce maritime laws, conduct random breath and drug tests, carry out safety checks on vessels, check boat licences, and ensure any other jet ski riders enjoy the sport safely,” Supt Hutchings said.
Minister for Police Troy Grant said people should be able to head out on NSW waterways and enjoy their day without hoons and trouble makers causing problems; that is why the NSW Government has invested more than $140,000 in 14 new jet skis for the Marine Area Command.
“With Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year around the corner, the jet ski squad will be launching major enforcement and crowd control operations during the busiest period on our waterways,” said Mr Grant.
“The versatility of the jet ski team will also greatly enhance the Marine Area Command’s ability to rapidly respond and deploy to incidents on the water and contain anti-social and dangerous behaviour.”
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said the additional funding would allow Police to continue their proactive approach to targeting anti-social behaviour on our waterways.
“The number of jet ski registrations continues to grow at around 10 per cent per year which represents the fastest growing segment of the industry,” Mrs Pavey said.
“While the vast majority of riders use their craft in a responsible manner, personal watercraft continue to be over represented in serious injuries and complaints as a result of dangerous use and anti-social behaviour.”
Executive Director of Maritime Services Angus Mitchell said additional jet skis would help complement Roads and Maritime Boating Safety Officers with patrolling NSW waterways.
“In the last two years it has been a whole government approach when it comes to improving waterway safety. This has included co-location in many areas, joint patrols, sharing of assets and sharing of intelligence.”
Throughout the warmer months, police will be focusing on safe and responsible boating, and monitoring any reckless or dangerous behaviour taking place on or near the water.
The NSW Police Force will continue to work with a variety of agencies including Transport for NSW throughout the summer months to develop and implement strategies that will reduce risk to the community.
A driverless vehicle will for the first time ever operate on local public roads in 2019.
The City of Newcastle is seeking proposals from qualified operators to trial an autonomous public transport vehicle that can operate safely in traffic.
A driverless shuttle used in a Transport for NSW autonomous vehicle trial at Sydney’s Olympic Park. City of Newcastle’s trial will involve a similar vehicle sourced through its tender process.
Newcastle’s trial will involve a small shuttle carrying about 12 people at a time through some of the city’s most scenic areas including our beaches and harbour front.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the trial will cement Newcastle as a leader for testing emerging technologies, and further confirm our smart city status.
“Our vision is to be a smart, liveable and sustainable global city by 2030,” the Lord Mayor said. “This project provides yet another great opportunity to showcase Newcastle’s smart city initiatives to a national and international audience.
“Automated shuttles and driverless car technologies are at the cutting-edge of transport. This trial will help build our understanding of how the vehicles can fit into existing traffic-dominated cities and connect with existing transport networks.
“City of Newcastle is partnering with a consortium of technology businesses to provide an integrated network for transport, energy and digital infrastructure to transform the city into a living lab.”
The trial will go through a safety testing phase before people can ride the shuttle free of charge.
The City’s tender documents outline a range of outcomes to be delivered during the trial, including:
The trial will run for at least a year as part of the Newcastle Smart City Strategy, which received $5m funding through the Federal Government’s Smart Cities and Suburbs program last year.
Autonomous vehicles are being tested around the world as cities, governments and communities embrace the emergence of driverless technology.
Newcastle will join a select number of Australian cities trialling autonomous vehicles in public settings and full urban traffic. Legislation around autonomous vehicles in New South Wales currently requires a trained human operator to always be on board the vehicle.
