Wallsend Library shut for day amid 'heightened violence and threatening attacks'

The Advertiser

01-07-2025

WALLSEND Library was closed on Tuesday after a wave of "heightened violence and threatening attacks" reached its nadir, the council said.
City of Newcastle shut the doors on Tuesday. It said the closure followed repeated calls to police during the past week "following increased antisocial behaviour at the library, which has seen staff attacked with items, a security guard spat on, youths carrying knives in the street and people forcing their way into the building".
Newcastle police said they have met with the council to discuss a joint response, but had been called to the library three times in the past week.
Last Wednesday they were called after a boy entered and verbally abused staff before leaving the scene. On Saturday night, police were called after reports sticks and trolleys had been thrown on the road outside, speaking with a group of people who were moved on.
On Monday night, police attended and were told a boy had used a rock to damage a glass door at the library. After a brief foot pursuit, they arrested a 15-year-old who was dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.
"Increased police patrols of the area are ongoing and discussions between stakeholders are continuing," a NSW Police spokesman said.
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is understood to also have been in contact with Newcastle police.
City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said Tuesday's closure was about putting staff and community safety first.
"It is unacceptable that the behaviour of a small number of people is putting people at risk," Mr Bath said.
"In the wake of a week-long campaign of increased antisocial behaviour, we have made a decision to close our library today for the safety and well-being of our staff and members of the public.
"We've been working with the police, who have been incredibly responsive in this matter, but it's clear that more needs to be done in Wallsend.
"The solution is not police permanently stationed at the library or on every street corner."
The Newcastle Herald understands the library is likely to reopen on Wednesday.
The council said other incidents, including vandalism, graffiti and smashed glass on the library's steps, ramp and in the overnight returns chute, had been reported to authorities.
"Wallsend is an amazing community, but that can't prevent us from acknowledging that there is a safety problem that needs to be addressed," Mr Bath said.
"Library staff are being threatened on an almost daily basis. With school holidays around the corner, our staff are rightly concerned about not only their safety but also that of people attending the library."
The council had flagged security concerns earlier this year when it required library patrons to scan their cards to gain access on weekdays after 3pm.
A security guard has been employed at the library for the past year.
City of Newcastle director museum, archive, libraries and learning Julie Baird said libraries were designed to be safe and welcoming spaces.
"While the vast majority of visitors use the library respectfully, it's disappointing that the troubling actions of a few within the community have necessitated this action to be taken," Ms Baird said.
"We appreciate the support and patience of our library members at this time."
WALLSEND Library was closed on Tuesday after a wave of "heightened violence and threatening attacks" reached its nadir, the council said.
City of Newcastle shut the doors on Tuesday. It said the closure followed repeated calls to police during the past week "following increased antisocial behaviour at the library, which has seen staff attacked with items, a security guard spat on, youths carrying knives in the street and people forcing their way into the building".
Newcastle police said they have met with the council to discuss a joint response, but had been called to the library three times in the past week.
Last Wednesday they were called after a boy entered and verbally abused staff before leaving the scene. On Saturday night, police were called after reports sticks and trolleys had been thrown on the road outside, speaking with a group of people who were moved on.
On Monday night, police attended and were told a boy had used a rock to damage a glass door at the library. After a brief foot pursuit, they arrested a 15-year-old who was dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.
"Increased police patrols of the area are ongoing and discussions between stakeholders are continuing," a NSW Police spokesman said.
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is understood to also have been in contact with Newcastle police.
City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said Tuesday's closure was about putting staff and community safety first.
"It is unacceptable that the behaviour of a small number of people is putting people at risk," Mr Bath said.
"In the wake of a week-long campaign of increased antisocial behaviour, we have made a decision to close our library today for the safety and well-being of our staff and members of the public.
"We've been working with the police, who have been incredibly responsive in this matter, but it's clear that more needs to be done in Wallsend.
"The solution is not police permanently stationed at the library or on every street corner."
The Newcastle Herald understands the library is likely to reopen on Wednesday.
The council said other incidents, including vandalism, graffiti and smashed glass on the library's steps, ramp and in the overnight returns chute, had been reported to authorities.
"Wallsend is an amazing community, but that can't prevent us from acknowledging that there is a safety problem that needs to be addressed," Mr Bath said.
"Library staff are being threatened on an almost daily basis. With school holidays around the corner, our staff are rightly concerned about not only their safety but also that of people attending the library."
The council had flagged security concerns earlier this year when it required library patrons to scan their cards to gain access on weekdays after 3pm.
A security guard has been employed at the library for the past year.
City of Newcastle director museum, archive, libraries and learning Julie Baird said libraries were designed to be safe and welcoming spaces.
"While the vast majority of visitors use the library respectfully, it's disappointing that the troubling actions of a few within the community have necessitated this action to be taken," Ms Baird said.
"We appreciate the support and patience of our library members at this time."
WALLSEND Library was closed on Tuesday after a wave of "heightened violence and threatening attacks" reached its nadir, the council said.
City of Newcastle shut the doors on Tuesday. It said the closure followed repeated calls to police during the past week "following increased antisocial behaviour at the library, which has seen staff attacked with items, a security guard spat on, youths carrying knives in the street and people forcing their way into the building".
Newcastle police said they have met with the council to discuss a joint response, but had been called to the library three times in the past week.
Last Wednesday they were called after a boy entered and verbally abused staff before leaving the scene. On Saturday night, police were called after reports sticks and trolleys had been thrown on the road outside, speaking with a group of people who were moved on.
On Monday night, police attended and were told a boy had used a rock to damage a glass door at the library. After a brief foot pursuit, they arrested a 15-year-old who was dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.
"Increased police patrols of the area are ongoing and discussions between stakeholders are continuing," a NSW Police spokesman said.
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is understood to also have been in contact with Newcastle police.
City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said Tuesday's closure was about putting staff and community safety first.
"It is unacceptable that the behaviour of a small number of people is putting people at risk," Mr Bath said.
"In the wake of a week-long campaign of increased antisocial behaviour, we have made a decision to close our library today for the safety and well-being of our staff and members of the public.
"We've been working with the police, who have been incredibly responsive in this matter, but it's clear that more needs to be done in Wallsend.
"The solution is not police permanently stationed at the library or on every street corner."
The Newcastle Herald understands the library is likely to reopen on Wednesday.
The council said other incidents, including vandalism, graffiti and smashed glass on the library's steps, ramp and in the overnight returns chute, had been reported to authorities.
"Wallsend is an amazing community, but that can't prevent us from acknowledging that there is a safety problem that needs to be addressed," Mr Bath said.
"Library staff are being threatened on an almost daily basis. With school holidays around the corner, our staff are rightly concerned about not only their safety but also that of people attending the library."
The council had flagged security concerns earlier this year when it required library patrons to scan their cards to gain access on weekdays after 3pm.
A security guard has been employed at the library for the past year.
City of Newcastle director museum, archive, libraries and learning Julie Baird said libraries were designed to be safe and welcoming spaces.
"While the vast majority of visitors use the library respectfully, it's disappointing that the troubling actions of a few within the community have necessitated this action to be taken," Ms Baird said.
"We appreciate the support and patience of our library members at this time."
WALLSEND Library was closed on Tuesday after a wave of "heightened violence and threatening attacks" reached its nadir, the council said.
City of Newcastle shut the doors on Tuesday. It said the closure followed repeated calls to police during the past week "following increased antisocial behaviour at the library, which has seen staff attacked with items, a security guard spat on, youths carrying knives in the street and people forcing their way into the building".
Newcastle police said they have met with the council to discuss a joint response, but had been called to the library three times in the past week.
Last Wednesday they were called after a boy entered and verbally abused staff before leaving the scene. On Saturday night, police were called after reports sticks and trolleys had been thrown on the road outside, speaking with a group of people who were moved on.
On Monday night, police attended and were told a boy had used a rock to damage a glass door at the library. After a brief foot pursuit, they arrested a 15-year-old who was dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.
"Increased police patrols of the area are ongoing and discussions between stakeholders are continuing," a NSW Police spokesman said.
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is understood to also have been in contact with Newcastle police.
City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said Tuesday's closure was about putting staff and community safety first.
"It is unacceptable that the behaviour of a small number of people is putting people at risk," Mr Bath said.
"In the wake of a week-long campaign of increased antisocial behaviour, we have made a decision to close our library today for the safety and well-being of our staff and members of the public.
"We've been working with the police, who have been incredibly responsive in this matter, but it's clear that more needs to be done in Wallsend.
"The solution is not police permanently stationed at the library or on every street corner."
The Newcastle Herald understands the library is likely to reopen on Wednesday.
The council said other incidents, including vandalism, graffiti and smashed glass on the library's steps, ramp and in the overnight returns chute, had been reported to authorities.
"Wallsend is an amazing community, but that can't prevent us from acknowledging that there is a safety problem that needs to be addressed," Mr Bath said.
"Library staff are being threatened on an almost daily basis. With school holidays around the corner, our staff are rightly concerned about not only their safety but also that of people attending the library."
The council had flagged security concerns earlier this year when it required library patrons to scan their cards to gain access on weekdays after 3pm.
A security guard has been employed at the library for the past year.
City of Newcastle director museum, archive, libraries and learning Julie Baird said libraries were designed to be safe and welcoming spaces.
"While the vast majority of visitors use the library respectfully, it's disappointing that the troubling actions of a few within the community have necessitated this action to be taken," Ms Baird said.
"We appreciate the support and patience of our library members at this time."