Campbelltown Local Area Command

Investigations continuing into mini-bus rollover – Appin

Police are continuing their inquiries after a mini-bus crashed at Appin, on Sydney’s south-western outskirts, yesterday (Saturday 12 December).

Just before 5pm, the mini-bus carrying 19 people left Appin Road and overturned in bushland.

Police from Campbelltown Local Area Command and NSW Ambulance personnel responded to the incident.

Two female passengers were airlifted to Liverpool and St George Hospitals, while a number of others were taken by ambulance to Campbelltown Hospital.

Their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

The 42-year-old male driver was not injured in the incident.

Police from the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit attended the scene and conducted inquiries.

Appin Road remained closed to traffic until about 9pm.

Inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash are continuing and anyone who has information that might assist investigating officers is urged to contact Campbelltown Police or the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

OPERATION SAFE ARRIVAL

Police in southern NSW urge motorists:

Drive safely and stay alive this Christmas/New Year period

New South Wales Police Force

Police are motorists in southern NSW they’ll be out in force this holiday season to prevent the region’s road toll climbing further.

‘Operation Safe Arrival’ – the annual Christmas/New Year traffic enforcement campaign – commences at 0001hrs on Friday (18 December) with double demerits in effect for all speeding and seatbelt offences.

• The annual NSW road toll stands at 441 – 95 more than for the same period in 2008.
• 91 people have been killed on southern region roads – one fewer than last year.

• Goulburn Local Area Command has recorded (17) deaths,
• Griffith (16),
• Albury, Cootamundra and Shoalhaven (eight),
• Deniliquin, Far South Coast and Wagga Wagga (six).

Traffic Services Commander, Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, said motorists intent on doing the wrong thing will be caught and have the book thrown at them.

“There’ve 91 people killed on southern NSW roads – that’s 91 too many,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said.

“We’ll be doing everything we can to prevent that figure rising but it’s also up to motorists to demonstrate some personal responsibility and realise their actions could result in the death of them or someone else.”

“Motorists who want to do the wrong thing will be caught and will feel the full force of the law,” he said.

Heavy traffic is expected on the region’s major thoroughfares including the F6 between Sydney and Wollongong, the Barton, Hume, Kings, Monaro, Princes and Snowy Mountains Highways, and Burley Griffin Way – as tens of thousands of people travel to and from popular holiday spots.

Operation Safe Arrival concludes in early January.

City Central Police

Eight charged over city brawl

Two men are due to appear in Parramatta Bail Court charged after a brawl in the city this morning.

Eight men were arrested by police following the fight which began about 1.35am in George Street near Wilmot Lane, and continued to the intersection of Liverpool Street.

An 18-year-old man from Fairfield and a 20-year-old man from Bonnyrigg were each charged with one count of affray. They were refused bail and are due to appear Parramatta Bail Court later today.

The remaining six men were each charged with one count of affray.

A 19-year-old man from Russell Lea, a 19-year-old man from Abbotsford, and a 20-year-old man from Granville, were granted conditional bail and are due to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on 12 January 2010.

An 18-year-old man from St John’s Park, a 19-year-old man from Fairfield, and a 20-year-old man from Fairfield were granted conditional bail and are due to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on 19 January 2010.

City Central Duty Officer, Inspector Sean Gabin, said officers from City Central and Operation Unite worked together to effect the arrests.

“The brawl was witnessed by more than 100 on-lookers, many of whom were intimidated by the violence,” Insp. Gabin said.

Police were forced to draw Tasers on the offenders to make the arrests.

Cabramatta Local Area Command

Detectives conduct inquiries after woman, two children carjacked – Cabramatta

Detectives are seeking public assistance as they investigate a carjacking at Cabramatta, in Sydney’s south-west.

About 2.45pm yesterday (Saturday 12 December), a 31-year-old woman and her two children returned to their blue Toyota Corolla parked on Hill Street after shopping in the area.

The woman unlocked the vehicle, put the keys in the ignition and placed her two-year-old daughter and five-year-old son in the car.

A short time later, an unknown man got into the driver’s seat and started the car.

The young boy jumped out of the car just moments before the man drove off with his mother and sister still in the vehicle.

The offender stopped the car several kilometres away and then took off with the woman’s handbag and mobile phone.

The woman then drove back to Hill Street where her son was waiting.

Police from Cabramatta Local Area Command attended the scene and conducted inquiries. The vehicle was seized for forensic examination.

Detectives are now seeking public help to track down the offender who’s been described as being of white/European appearance with very thin build, short blond hair and a goatee beard. He was wearing a white singlet and cream shorts at the time of the incident.

Anyone who witnessed the carjacking or has any information that might assist detectives is urged to contact Cabramatta Police Station via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

OPERATION SAFE ARRIVAL

Police to target law-breaking motorists on Sydney roads this festive season – ‘Operation Safe Arrival’

New South Wales Police Force

Victor P Taffa

Police have put Sydney motorists on notice: misbehave behind the wheel this festive season and expect to feel the full force of the law.

Extra police resources will be deployed across Sydney as part of the annual Christmas/New Year traffic enforcement campaign, ‘Operation Safe Arrival’, which commences at 0001hrs this Friday (18 December 2009).

Double demerit points will be in effect for speeding and seatbelt offences for the duration of the operation.

The annual NSW road toll stands at 441 – 94 more than the same period last year.

Traffic Services Commander, Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, warned law-breaking motorists will be caught and have the book thrown at them.

“There’s already been a horrific loss of life on the state’s roads this year and we are determined to prevent the road toll climbing higher,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said.

“We will be pulling out all stops this Christmas/New Year to catch those motorists intent on doing the wrong thing but it’s about time people wake up to themselves and realise their stupidity behind the wheel could kill them or someone else,” he said.

• Central Metropolitan Region, 26 people have been killed in fatal crashes – 11 more than last year.
• Sutherland Local Area Command (LAC) has recorded the highest number of fatalities with seven,
• Harbourside, Miranda and St George (three),
• Botany Bay, Eastern Beaches, and Kings Cross (two),
• Leichhardt, Redfern, Rose Bay and Surry Hills (one).
• City Central, Eastern Suburbs, Hurstville, Newtown and The Rocks Local Area Commands remain fatality free.

• South West Metropolitan Region, 58 people have died in road crashes – 23 up on last year.
• Camden Local Area Command has recorded the most road deaths with 11,
• Bankstown and Marrickville (six),
• Campsie and Fairfield (five),
• Ashfield, Campbelltown, Green Valley and Liverpool (four).

• 48 people have lost their lives on North West Metropolitan Region roads so far in 2009 – three fewer than last year.
• Hawkesbury, Kuring Gai and Northern Beaches Local Area Commands have had the most road deaths with five,
• Blacktown, Mt Druitt and The Hills (four),
• Blue Mountains, Parramatta, Penrith, Quakers Hill and St Marys (three).
• Manly LAC remains fatality free.

Extra traffic and delays are expected on major routes across the metropolitan area including the M2, M4, M5 and M7, the F3 and F6, and the Great Western, Hume, Pacific and Princes Highways – as tens of thousands of holiday motorists hit the roads.

Motorists should plan their trips in advance, expect delays and take rest breaks every two hours to avoid fatigue.

“Drive to the conditions and obey the rules and get to your destination safely this holiday season,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said. “Too many families have lost loved ones in road crashes this year and no one wants to have an empty seat at the table this Christmas.”

Operation Safe Arrival concludes in early January.

Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command

Man charged over violent attack on three police officers – Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command

A man has been charged over a violent attack on three police officers on the state’s north coast.

An officer attached to Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command attended a residence in Ballanda Crescent, Yamba, about 4.15pm yesterday (Saturday 12 December) to serve papers on a 30-year-old man.

The man allegedly punched the male senior constable twice to the right side of the head and pushed him into a wall.

The officer used capsicum spray to try and subdue the alleged offender without success.

The man fled the scene but was arrested a short time later at a house in Charles Street, Iluka, and taken to Grafton Police Station where it’s alleged he again became aggressive towards police.

He allegedly attempted to bite the face of a male sergeant before striking him to the head and then biting the arm of a male constable. Capsicum spray was again used in a bid to control the alleged offender.

The man was subsequently charged with assault police causing actual bodily harm (two counts), assault police and resist arrest and refused bail to appear in Grafton Court today.

The injured senior constable was transported by ambulance to Lismore Base Hospital, while the sergeant and constable were taken to Grafton Hospital for treatment.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

OPERATION SAFE ARRIVAL

Police in northern NSW urge motorists:

Drive safely and stay alive this Christmas/New Year period

New South Wales Police Force

Motorists in northern New South Wales are being warned police will be out in force this holiday season to prevent the region’s road toll climbing further.

‘Operation Safe Arrival’ – the annual Christmas/New Year traffic enforcement campaign – commences at 0001hrs on Friday (18 December) with double demerits in effect for all speeding and seatbelt offences.

• The annual NSW road toll stands at 441 – 94 more than the same period last year.
• 129 people have been killed on Northern Region’s roads – up 20 on the same period in 2008.

• Coffs /Clarence Local Area Command has recorded 18 deaths this year,
• Brisbane Water and Richmond (14),
• Lake Macquarie and Manning/Great Lakes (12).
• Hunter Valley Local Area Command has recorded five fatalities – the least of the region’s LACs.

Speeding, drink-driving and fatigue remain our biggest killers.

Northern Region Traffic Coordinator, Senior Sergeant Mal Read, has warned law-breaking motorists can expect to have their driving privileges suspended on the spot for serious offences.

“We’ll be out in force this holiday season and those motorists caught flouting the laws can expect to feel the full force of the law,” Snr Sgt Read said. “The region’s road toll is already 129 too high – and we’ll be pulling out all stops to ensure it doesn’t rise further; however, there is also an onus on drivers to do the right thing behind the wheel.”

Heavy traffic and lengthy delays are expected on the region’s major thoroughfares including the F3 between Sydney and Newcastle; the New England, Oxley and Pacific Highways; and Summerland and Thunderbolts Ways – as tens of thousands of people travel to and from popular tourist spots.

Meanwhile, local emergency services and residents will mark the 20th anniversary of the Clybucca bus crash on Sunday 22 December – Australia’s worst road disaster.

At 3.30am on 22 December 1989, 35 people were killed when two tourist coaches collided on the Pacific Highway at Clybucca, 12km north of Kempsey.

The remembrance ceremony and luncheon will be held at Clybucca Memorial Gardens.

Operation Safe Arrival concludes in early January.

OPERATION SAFE ARRIVAL

Police issue appeal to western NSW motorists:

Drive safely and stay alive this festive season

New South Wales Police Force

Police will be out in force on western New South Wales Motorists this festive season to try and prevent the region’s shocking road toll climbing further.

The annual NSW road toll stands at:

• 441 – 94 more than the same time last year.
• 89 people have been killed on western region roads so far this year – up 44 on the same period in 2008.

‘Operation Safe Arrival’ - the annual Christmas/New Year traffic enforcement campaign – commences at 0001hrs on Friday (18 December) with double demerits in effect for all speeding and seatbelt offences.

Western Region Traffic Coordinator, Senior Sergeant Mal Unicomb, said motorists can expect a highly-visible police presence on the roads over the holiday season.

“The region’s road toll is almost double what it was at the same time last year and no one wants to see more lives lost,” Snr Sgt Unicomb said.

“Extra police resources will be deployed on the region’s roads over the Christmas/New Year period and the message to motorists is clear: break the law and we’ll throw the book at you,” he said.

• Mudgee Local Area Command has recorded 15 road deaths this year,
• Canobolas (13),
• Barwon and Chifley (10),
• Lachlan, New England and Orana (eight),
• Oxley (seven),
• Barrier and Darling River (five).
• Castlereagh is the only western region local area command that remains fatality-free.

Heavy traffic is expected on the region’s major thoroughfares – including the Barrier, Cobb, Golden, Great Western, Kamilaroi, Mitchell, Newell, Oxley, Silver City and Sturt Highways, and Kidman and Lachlan Valley Ways – as thousands of people travel to and from popular tourist spots.

Holidaymakers are warned to plan their travel in advance, expect delays and take regular rest breaks.

Operation Safe Arrival concludes in early January.

Sutherland Local Area Command

Local cops say thanks with free sausage sizzle – Sutherland

Local police from Sutherland will say thank you to the local community with a free barbecue this Saturday morning at Gymea.

Sutherland LAC Police Sausage Sizzle

Deputy Commissioner, field operations, Dave Owens, will join Detective Superintendent Gavin Dengate from the Sutherland Local Area Command, at the barbecue.

Sutherland LAC Police Sausage Sizzle

The event has been planned as a way for police to say thanks to the community for their help in driving down crime in the area.

‘’We have been getting a lot of help from the community of late which has helped us in making numerous arrests this year,” Det Supt Dengate said.

Sutherland LAC Police Sausage Sizzle

‘’More arrests mean that crime levels go down in our area and that means a safe community for us all to live in.”

The help given to the police includes calls to Crime Stoppers (1800 333 000) and to local police.

Sutherland LAC Police Vehicle

“We always rely on the community’s help to bring down crime rates,’’ Det Supt Dengate said.

“Each and every piece of information, every tip off, every small piece of information we receive goes a long way.

“The police couldn’t do the job they do without the people in the community we serve.

“We hope that tomorrow’s event goes some way in letting the community know just how grateful we are for their continuing help.

Sutherland Shire Mayor Lorraine Kelly

“It is a great opportunity for us to show our appreciation in a small way.”

The barbecue will be held in Gymea Bay Road, near the railway station, from 9.30am to 11am.

As well as the barbecue there will free giveaways for children.

Sutherland Shire Mayor Lorraine Kelly also lent her support to the efforts of Sutherland Local Area Command

Campbelltown Police

Single vehicle crash – Appin

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a single vehicle crash at Appin, south-west of Sydney.

About 4.55pm today (Saturday 12 December 2009), a mini-bus carrying 19 people, left Appin Road and overturned in bushland.

Emergency services attended and a number of people were treated for a range of injuries.

One female was airlifted to Campbelltown Hospital for treatment and a second female was airlifted to St George Hospital.

Appin Road is expected to be closed to traffic until at least 9pm, and motorists are asked to avoid the area or take alternate routes until further notice.

Investigations are continuing and anyone with information about the circumstances surrounding the incident is asked to contact Campbelltown Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.