Latest news with #ACTPolicing
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Yahoo
New road rules move sees Aussie drivers slapped with $500,000 in fines
Drivers in a major Aussie city have been slapped with more than $500,000 in fines after outraged motorists dobbed them in with the help of dashcam footage. Like NSW and Queensland, the ACT offers an online portal for residents to report various non-urgent incidents to police, with the service expanding last year to allow the submission of traffic offences caught on camera. And the move appears to have paid off, with authorities receiving more than 1,800 reports from July, 2024 until June, leading officers to issue more than 1,100 infringements. Another 250 drivers copped a warning. Speaking to Yahoo News on Friday, a spokesperson for ACT Policing revealed most drivers caught on camera were busted for traffic light offences — mainly failing to stop for a red light — which carries a $552 penalty. The 'dangerous and selfish' act places everyone on the road at 'significant risk', Detective acting Inspector Sean Evans said, urging those behind the wheel to 'slow down and be patient'. 'The longest you'll wait for a green light in Canberra is approximately a minute and a half,' he explained. Numerous motorists were also fined for driving without due care, negligent driving, and overtaking violations, with police releasing shocking clips of the offences. The footage shows a large truck crossing multiple lanes at great speed before almost colliding with a motorist, and various other cars suddenly swerving in front of trailing vehicles. Warning to drivers breaking road rules: 'Dangerous' The spokesperson for ACT Policing told Yahoo the online reporting system is 'an added measure of accountability for drivers', alongside police patrols and cameras. 'Police may not catch you running a red light, but the car behind you may, and if there's video evidence, you can then be issued an infringement,' they said. 'Police can't be everywhere, all the time. And this system allows other drivers — where they see dangerous driving occurring — to report it to police in a simple and convenient way.' Driver's photo sparks $400 warning over little-known road rule Calls to review driver's licence requirements for older Aussies Massive change on roads after new Aussie speed cameras rolled out To report a driver, you must be able to provide video or photographic evidence of the offence you witnessed when requested by ACT Policing. The complainant may also be required to provide a formal witness statement and attend court to confirm the information. Earlier this year, ACT Policing Chief Police Officer Scott Lee said the electronic service had freed up resources, allowing officers to focus on more time-sensitive matters. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
The Advertiser
11-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Couple watches cars being stolen live on camera, only able to yell at the burglars in vain
A Canberra family watched in horror, live on camera, as two masked burglars, broke into their Kaleen home and drove away with their two expensive cars early on Saturday. The minutes that followed were more dramatic as the female victim yelled out "get the f--- out of my house" through the CCTV camera speaker, leading the perpetrators to take off in the cars. Her son gave chase after two of their family cars through parts of north Canberra but stopped when told by police it was too dangerous. Stephen and Cassandra's were on a work trip to Nhill in Victoria last weekend when Cassandra's phone lit up about 6.30am on Saturday. "I saw 10 to 15 video alerts on my phone and I logged in to see two masked men standing in our driveway. I immediately rang the police and our son who lives nearby to check on the house," Cassandra told The Canberra Times. The family were remote witnesses to the scenes of the burglars entering their home of 26 years, breaking open the back door. "They wore gloves and took off their shoes, possibly not to make noise. They searched through the house before reaching the cup carrying the spare car keys on the first floor," Stephen said. With the family's pet cats still on the first floor, the burglars took the keys and returned to the driveway. "It was very unsettling to see one with a baseball bat in hand. We believe 100 per cent, they thought we were at home as all cars were in the driveway and had come prepared. It is very disturbing," said Cassandra. As the couple watched the masked and hooded men getting ready to take their cars - a Ford Mustang and a Toyota C-HR - Cassandra remembered the camera voice feature. "I yelled out to the men through the outdoor camera speaker and that caught them by surprise. Stunned and staring up at us for a second, they quickly got into the cars and drove away," she said. The family said they were in touch with ACT Policing as the burglary unfolded. The couple's son who lives in Bruce was rushing to his family home when he saw his dad's Mustang, with its distinctive rego plate, drive in the opposite direction past the North Canberra Hospital. "Out of instinct, he did a U-ey and followed the vehicle for 15 minutes. When they reached McKellar, the thief realised he was made. He then turned around the vehicle, facing my son and flashed the lights, possibly as a warning," recalled Stephen. But with the concerned family asking him to back off, the son returned only to then encounter his mother's Toyota in front of him. "He followed it to Giralang but stopped after police advised it was too dangerous to follow as the driver was driving erratically and at top speeds," Cassandra added. The Kaleen couple who were "shaken" by Saturday's events said the responding ACT Policing team were "incredibly impressive", telling them their stolen cars were recovered within two days. Investigating teams visited the crime scene and other houses in the streets the men attempted to break into. "I was inside the house and my camera caught the two trying to open the doors and windows possibly for my Mercedes parked inside," a 65-year-old woman neighbour told The Canberra Times. Both families are planning on upgrading their security systems in and around their homes. ACT Policing said no arrests have been made in the case and inquiries are ongoing. A Canberra family watched in horror, live on camera, as two masked burglars, broke into their Kaleen home and drove away with their two expensive cars early on Saturday. The minutes that followed were more dramatic as the female victim yelled out "get the f--- out of my house" through the CCTV camera speaker, leading the perpetrators to take off in the cars. Her son gave chase after two of their family cars through parts of north Canberra but stopped when told by police it was too dangerous. Stephen and Cassandra's were on a work trip to Nhill in Victoria last weekend when Cassandra's phone lit up about 6.30am on Saturday. "I saw 10 to 15 video alerts on my phone and I logged in to see two masked men standing in our driveway. I immediately rang the police and our son who lives nearby to check on the house," Cassandra told The Canberra Times. The family were remote witnesses to the scenes of the burglars entering their home of 26 years, breaking open the back door. "They wore gloves and took off their shoes, possibly not to make noise. They searched through the house before reaching the cup carrying the spare car keys on the first floor," Stephen said. With the family's pet cats still on the first floor, the burglars took the keys and returned to the driveway. "It was very unsettling to see one with a baseball bat in hand. We believe 100 per cent, they thought we were at home as all cars were in the driveway and had come prepared. It is very disturbing," said Cassandra. As the couple watched the masked and hooded men getting ready to take their cars - a Ford Mustang and a Toyota C-HR - Cassandra remembered the camera voice feature. "I yelled out to the men through the outdoor camera speaker and that caught them by surprise. Stunned and staring up at us for a second, they quickly got into the cars and drove away," she said. The family said they were in touch with ACT Policing as the burglary unfolded. The couple's son who lives in Bruce was rushing to his family home when he saw his dad's Mustang, with its distinctive rego plate, drive in the opposite direction past the North Canberra Hospital. "Out of instinct, he did a U-ey and followed the vehicle for 15 minutes. When they reached McKellar, the thief realised he was made. He then turned around the vehicle, facing my son and flashed the lights, possibly as a warning," recalled Stephen. But with the concerned family asking him to back off, the son returned only to then encounter his mother's Toyota in front of him. "He followed it to Giralang but stopped after police advised it was too dangerous to follow as the driver was driving erratically and at top speeds," Cassandra added. The Kaleen couple who were "shaken" by Saturday's events said the responding ACT Policing team were "incredibly impressive", telling them their stolen cars were recovered within two days. Investigating teams visited the crime scene and other houses in the streets the men attempted to break into. "I was inside the house and my camera caught the two trying to open the doors and windows possibly for my Mercedes parked inside," a 65-year-old woman neighbour told The Canberra Times. Both families are planning on upgrading their security systems in and around their homes. ACT Policing said no arrests have been made in the case and inquiries are ongoing. A Canberra family watched in horror, live on camera, as two masked burglars, broke into their Kaleen home and drove away with their two expensive cars early on Saturday. The minutes that followed were more dramatic as the female victim yelled out "get the f--- out of my house" through the CCTV camera speaker, leading the perpetrators to take off in the cars. Her son gave chase after two of their family cars through parts of north Canberra but stopped when told by police it was too dangerous. Stephen and Cassandra's were on a work trip to Nhill in Victoria last weekend when Cassandra's phone lit up about 6.30am on Saturday. "I saw 10 to 15 video alerts on my phone and I logged in to see two masked men standing in our driveway. I immediately rang the police and our son who lives nearby to check on the house," Cassandra told The Canberra Times. The family were remote witnesses to the scenes of the burglars entering their home of 26 years, breaking open the back door. "They wore gloves and took off their shoes, possibly not to make noise. They searched through the house before reaching the cup carrying the spare car keys on the first floor," Stephen said. With the family's pet cats still on the first floor, the burglars took the keys and returned to the driveway. "It was very unsettling to see one with a baseball bat in hand. We believe 100 per cent, they thought we were at home as all cars were in the driveway and had come prepared. It is very disturbing," said Cassandra. As the couple watched the masked and hooded men getting ready to take their cars - a Ford Mustang and a Toyota C-HR - Cassandra remembered the camera voice feature. "I yelled out to the men through the outdoor camera speaker and that caught them by surprise. Stunned and staring up at us for a second, they quickly got into the cars and drove away," she said. The family said they were in touch with ACT Policing as the burglary unfolded. The couple's son who lives in Bruce was rushing to his family home when he saw his dad's Mustang, with its distinctive rego plate, drive in the opposite direction past the North Canberra Hospital. "Out of instinct, he did a U-ey and followed the vehicle for 15 minutes. When they reached McKellar, the thief realised he was made. He then turned around the vehicle, facing my son and flashed the lights, possibly as a warning," recalled Stephen. But with the concerned family asking him to back off, the son returned only to then encounter his mother's Toyota in front of him. "He followed it to Giralang but stopped after police advised it was too dangerous to follow as the driver was driving erratically and at top speeds," Cassandra added. The Kaleen couple who were "shaken" by Saturday's events said the responding ACT Policing team were "incredibly impressive", telling them their stolen cars were recovered within two days. Investigating teams visited the crime scene and other houses in the streets the men attempted to break into. "I was inside the house and my camera caught the two trying to open the doors and windows possibly for my Mercedes parked inside," a 65-year-old woman neighbour told The Canberra Times. Both families are planning on upgrading their security systems in and around their homes. ACT Policing said no arrests have been made in the case and inquiries are ongoing. A Canberra family watched in horror, live on camera, as two masked burglars, broke into their Kaleen home and drove away with their two expensive cars early on Saturday. The minutes that followed were more dramatic as the female victim yelled out "get the f--- out of my house" through the CCTV camera speaker, leading the perpetrators to take off in the cars. Her son gave chase after two of their family cars through parts of north Canberra but stopped when told by police it was too dangerous. Stephen and Cassandra's were on a work trip to Nhill in Victoria last weekend when Cassandra's phone lit up about 6.30am on Saturday. "I saw 10 to 15 video alerts on my phone and I logged in to see two masked men standing in our driveway. I immediately rang the police and our son who lives nearby to check on the house," Cassandra told The Canberra Times. The family were remote witnesses to the scenes of the burglars entering their home of 26 years, breaking open the back door. "They wore gloves and took off their shoes, possibly not to make noise. They searched through the house before reaching the cup carrying the spare car keys on the first floor," Stephen said. With the family's pet cats still on the first floor, the burglars took the keys and returned to the driveway. "It was very unsettling to see one with a baseball bat in hand. We believe 100 per cent, they thought we were at home as all cars were in the driveway and had come prepared. It is very disturbing," said Cassandra. As the couple watched the masked and hooded men getting ready to take their cars - a Ford Mustang and a Toyota C-HR - Cassandra remembered the camera voice feature. "I yelled out to the men through the outdoor camera speaker and that caught them by surprise. Stunned and staring up at us for a second, they quickly got into the cars and drove away," she said. The family said they were in touch with ACT Policing as the burglary unfolded. The couple's son who lives in Bruce was rushing to his family home when he saw his dad's Mustang, with its distinctive rego plate, drive in the opposite direction past the North Canberra Hospital. "Out of instinct, he did a U-ey and followed the vehicle for 15 minutes. When they reached McKellar, the thief realised he was made. He then turned around the vehicle, facing my son and flashed the lights, possibly as a warning," recalled Stephen. But with the concerned family asking him to back off, the son returned only to then encounter his mother's Toyota in front of him. "He followed it to Giralang but stopped after police advised it was too dangerous to follow as the driver was driving erratically and at top speeds," Cassandra added. The Kaleen couple who were "shaken" by Saturday's events said the responding ACT Policing team were "incredibly impressive", telling them their stolen cars were recovered within two days. Investigating teams visited the crime scene and other houses in the streets the men attempted to break into. "I was inside the house and my camera caught the two trying to open the doors and windows possibly for my Mercedes parked inside," a 65-year-old woman neighbour told The Canberra Times. Both families are planning on upgrading their security systems in and around their homes. ACT Policing said no arrests have been made in the case and inquiries are ongoing.
ABC News
14-05-2025
- ABC News
Small business owners hope police portal will stop ‘daily' shoplifting and abuse
Every morning when Chris Lawler opens the doors of his Canberran pharmacy, he knows some of the customers won't be coming to purchase, but to steal. Mr Lawler has been running his pharmacy for 12 years and said theft was just a part of doing daily business. The pharmacy chain his store is a part of loses $150,000 per year to shoplifting across three stores. He said people just walked in and took things from the shelves, sometimes filling shopping bags with products before leaving the store directly in front of staff members. "They can be verbally abusive if we confront them," Mr Lawler said. He has seen staff spat on in revenge for calling out shoplifters. On one occasion, a thief urinated on products in retaliation, rendering them unsellable. The pharmacy has CCTV cameras and reports most thefts to the police. "They don't normally come to the store. "They usually tell you to issue a ban notice — that way next time the customer comes into the store [the police] are able to action something." ACT Policing has expanded its online reporting tool to include retail theft and lost property such as tools stolen from a ute, or a stolen bike. The online portal, first used in June 2023 to report property damage and vandalism and, from 2024, dangerous driving, allows residents to report incidents of crime without having to call police or visit a police station. ACT Policing Chief Police Officer Scott Lee said the portal allowed for a better allocation of police resources. "The police response to those types of matters does not change. It's the same response we provide regardless of which way you report it." Chief Police Officer Lee said police would still triage jobs, and while officers would not necessarily attend to every reported incident, they would be recorded. "Those matters are treated seriously, and we do investigate those matters," he said. Since its 2023 inception, more than 3,600 incidents have been reported through the portal. Mr Lawler said he would use the portal instead of the frequent calls he makes to police and he hopes action is taken, particularly against repeat offenders targeting small businesses across the city. He said more could be done to protect small businesses from shoplifters. One issue is staff cannot do anything about a customer until they try and physically leave the store without paying for their items. "Even if you catch them putting it in their bag, it's really hard to stop them," Mr Lawler said. "Currently the system isn't working. Theft seems to be increasing. "Theft is a huge problem for small businesses."
ABC News
30-04-2025
- ABC News
Loved ones applaud as coroner refers death of Indigenous Canberra man Nathan Booth to homicide investigators
In short: ACT Coroner Ken Archer has delivered his findings in the inquiry over the death of Canberra Indigenous man Nathan Booth Mr Booth's body was discovered in the Murrumbidgee River in December 2019, six months after his mother had reported him missing What's next? The investigation into Mr Booth's death will be reviewed by ACT Policing homicide investigators, with the man's family welcoming the development WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains the name and image of a person who has died, used with the permission of their family. ACT Policing homicide investigators will review the 2019 death of Canberra man Nathan Booth after a coronial inquest made no definitive findings about the circumstances in which he died. Mr Booth's family packed the courtroom, and broke into applause after ACT Coroner Ken Archer delivered his findings and recommendations. When Mr Archer began the inquiry last year, he led with an apology to the family over lengthy delays in the investigation into Mr Booth's death, saying the probe was "not satisfactorily advanced". Mr Booth was found by two young fishers in the Murrumbidgee River near Pine Island in December 2019. Family says alarm should've been raised His mother had reported him missing in July that year after he had failed to show up for an important family event. But there had already been an indication something was wrong when Mr Booth did not attend a methadone clinic where he had been careful to keep his regular appointments. Because of privacy concerns, no-one at the clinic had said anything. On Wednesday, Mr Booth's sister, Deanne Booth, said the fact that her brother had not shown up for his methadone appointment should have raised an alarm. Nathan Booth was found dead near the Murrumbidgee River in June 2019 ( Supplied ) "I think the biggest concern was that if someone on a high dose of methadone doesn't turn up to pick up his doses … because it's a voluntary program … they don't let anyone else know, and I said we wanted that changed," Ms Booth said. His family had been concerned his death would be written-off as misadventure without a proper inquiry. In his findings, Mr Archer said Mr Booth, who had broken his ankle, had died of hypothermia in the river. He said it was likely he had entered the water where he was found, but there was no evidence of an assault, and no indication of why he was in such a remote area. The coroner's report also delved into Mr Booth's descent into addiction. Mr Archer stopped short of making any findings about any other circumstances. He told the court the matter had been referred to the ACT Attorney-General Tara Cheyne, the ACT Chief Coroner Lorraine Walker and the AFP. Mr Booth's sister asked the court if the case would be sent to the homicide team, with Mr Archer confirming police had agreed to conduct a review into her brother's death. 23 rumours distress loved ones In his findings, Mr Archer noted the delays in investigations had caused the family more distress, particularly in the face of rumours that Mr Booth had been killed by a named or unnamed person. "Those rumours were reported to his distressed family," Mr Archer said. Nathan Booth's body was found by fishers in December 2019. ( ABC News: Toby Hunt ) The report notes a number of suggestions which were circulated, including allegations that he had stolen drugs from Asian people who were looking for him, that for an unknown reason bikies were after him, and that someone had "put a contract" out on his life. Mr Archer said police had assessed each of the 23 separate rumours, interviewing people where possible. Despite Wednesday's findings offering no definitive answer, Mr Booth's family have expressed relief that the case will get some more attention as homicide investigators conduct a review. "Our family still stands united and our community still stands united that Nathan was murdered here in the ACT and nothing's been done about it," his sister said. 'Healing' pilot program The coronial inquest had been run in an unusual format as it was part of a pilot program to more closely involve families in the process. The pilot saw the inquest opened outside of court near where Mr Booth had died. The family was also consulted throughout. A 2024 coronial inquest into the death of Nathan Booth opened at Pine Island. ( ABC News: Elizabeth Byrne ) Mr Booth's mother, and the rest of his family, have endorsed the process, saying they hoped others would also benefit from being involved. Perhaps the most ringing endorsement of the pilot was from Mr Booth's mother, Rayleen Booth. "I would thank the coroner for his findings and for being there to support us all," she said. "Families need an answer when something unexplained happens. For far too long this was left unexamined … and they were angry, as the coroner acknowledged," lawyer Jan De Bruyn said. "But then the coroner made an effort to speak to them, giving them an opportunity to voice their concern and make them part of the process, and that paved the way for healing," Mr De Bruyn added.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Yahoo
Alleged driver who hit school boys charged
A Victorian driver who allegedly struck two Canberra high school students seriously injuring them in a stolen car has been charged by police. The traumatic incident allegedly began in NSW, where police say the 31-year old man from Warrenheip stole a green Holden Commodore station wagon with an eight-year old girl inside, from a childcare centre in Sutton about 7.40am on Friday. Monaro Police District officers were told a man entered the vehicle and drove off, letting the girl out 100m down the road unharmed. 'The car drove off and was sighted travelling into the ACT. No pursuit was initiated,' a NSW police spokesman said. ACT Policing believe the offender travelled from Sutton, NSW, possibly through Queanbeyan and into the ACT between 7.40am and 9.10am on Friday. The man was allegedly out of control and veered off the road when he collided with two school boys from St Edmund's College aged 14 and 15 on Friday. The boys were rushed to hospital with serious injuries from the collision; one of the teens required surgery from his injuries. It is alleged the driver continued along Canberra Ave before he collided with other vehicles and came to a stop near a shopping precinct in Manuka. The alleged driver tried to flee the collision but was apprehended by a group of tradies who detained him until police arrived, ACT Policing Acting Superintendent Mark Steel told media on Friday. Acting Superintendent Steel said the man was taken into custody and was placed under police guard while he received treatment in a Canberra hospital. He said the man who was known to police. Police confirmed the alleged driver was subject to interstate parole and bail conditions and is expected to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court to face nine charges on Saturday. He has been charged with unlicensed driving, driving a motor vehicle without consent, dangerous driving, and negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm. An ACT Policing spokesman acknowledged the collision outside St Edmund's College would have been a confronting scene for witnesses. 'We encourage anyone who witnessed that incident to seek professional support,' the spokesman said. 'Major Collision Team investigators continue to urge anyone who may have footage of the vehicle or who witnessed the incident yesterday morning to come forward.' St Edmund's College principal Tim Cleary said the injured boys' parents were with them while they received treatment in hospital. 'The College has organised additional counsellors to support any students who may have been affected by witnessing the event or knowing the students involved,' Mr Cleary said in a letter to parents. 'Please keep the boys and their families in your prayers.' Education Minister Yvette Berry said people in Canberra were thinking of those who had been directly impacted by the tragic incident and were beyond grateful for those who responded. 'My heart is with the two boys their family, friends and the St Edmund's College Canberra Community,' she said in a social media post. 'Strong hugs to everybody today and for the days to come.'
