Latest news with #YoungOffendersAct
Sky News AU
16-07-2025
- Sky News AU
More than 30 illegal e-bike riders fined following four-week-long police crackdown on Sydney's Northern Beaches
A month-long police operation cracking down on illegal e-bike riders in Sydney's Northern Beaches has resulted in more than 30 copping fines, and about 60 cautions issued. E-bikes are bicycles with an electric motor that assist pedalling for the rider and make cycling easier. Two types of e-bikes are permitted in NSW - power-assisted pedal cycles and electrically power-assisted cycles. The crackdown, led as part of Operation Kilowatt, uncovered illegally modified bikes in which the motor has become the main source of propelling the bike rather than the pedals. 'Parents need to understand e-bike riders are subject to the same rules as bicycle riders. They need to make sure the e-bike is not unlawfully modified and complies with the law,' Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver said in a NSW Police statement. 'Police commonly see illegal and modified e-bikes where the motor becomes the primary source of propelling the bike – essentially making it a motorbike. The use of unlawfully modified e-bikes create a significant risk when used in pedestrian or heavy traffic areas. 'Young people and adults need to understand these risks when riding an e-bike, so they do not become a danger to themselves and others.' Police conducted 305 e-bike compliance checks, identifying 28 illegal e-bikes which did not comply with current legislation due to adjustments or modification. Officers issued 32 fines for a number of offences including not wearing a secured helmet or using a mobile phone while riding. NSW Police said there were "29 warnings given to young people under 14 and 29 young people aged over 14 were issued with official warnings under the Young Offenders Act". "More than 30 people aged over 18 were given cautions," it said. Community members have voiced their concerns over the vehicles, which have been involved in several serious injury incidents and even a couple of fatalities in recent years. According to a St Vincent's Hospital report, more than 500 e-bike riders were taken to emergency rooms due to road incidents between 2022 and 2024. In 2024, 48 injuries related to e-bikes and e-scooters were recorded at Westmead Children's Hospital and Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick. A 32-year-old woman in central NSW was killed in March after she was involved in a crash with a ute while riding her e-scooter on the Great Western Highway in Lithgow. In Queensland, data released in June revealed four people had died in e-scooter accidents on Queensland roads so far this year.
The Advertiser
01-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Wallsend Library shut for day amid 'heightened violence and threatening attacks'
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."
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Seven children charged for violent assault on Chinese couple in Sydney
[Source] Seven minors have been charged in connection with a violent assault on a Chinese couple at an apartment complex in Eastgardens, a suburb in Sydney's southeast, on the evening of May 21. Attack in courtyard According to New South Wales Police, Lily (not her real name) and her husband were searching for lost keys in the courtyard of their Oscar Place residence at around 5:15 p.m. when a group of about seven teens began shouting abuse at them. The couple attempted to walk away, but one teen allegedly grabbed Lily's clothing, causing her to fall. While on the ground, Lily was kicked and punched repeatedly. Her clothes were pulled over her eyes, leaving her unable to defend herself. Her husband tried to intervene but was also attacked. He stepped back to call police, prompting the group to flee. A bystander walking her dog also intervened. Trending on NextShark: Graphic video footage captured by witnesses circulated widely on social media, showing parts of the assault. The couple suffered facial injuries and were treated at Prince of Wales Hospital. Children charged NSW Police confirmed that seven minors — including two 12-year-old girls, two 14-year-old girls, a 14-year-old boy, a 13-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl — have been charged. Six face charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company and affray. The 16-year-old girl will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act. All have been granted conditional bail and are scheduled to appear in children's court in June. Trending on NextShark: Authorities are continuing to investigate and have asked anyone with information about the incident to come forward. In a statement to ABC News, the woman said the attack 'greatly reduced [her] impression of this country.' Community response While the police said there was no evidence the assault was racially motivated, the case has intensified public discourse about the safety of Asian residents and youth-related violence in urban areas. Trending on NextShark: The Chinese Consulate-General in Sydney issued a statement condemning the assault and urged Chinese nationals in Australia to remain vigilant, especially at night. It also called on Australian authorities to protect the rights and safety of Chinese citizens. This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Trending on NextShark: Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what we're building, consider becoming a paid member — your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Subscribe here now! Trending on NextShark: Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today!
