Monday 9 April 2018

Newcastle Police Disappointed by Youth Crime Over Weekend

BY TYLER FARDELL AND LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Hunter police are shaking their heads after a string of incidents over the weekend involving youths as young as 12 which left multiple police cars damaged.

Police are still searching for two offenders after a group of four teenagers crashed a stolen Toyota Camry into a police car in Lake Macquarie.

Meanwhile, two other police cars were hit in a dangerous police pursuit resulting in the arrest of a 16-year-old Windale teenager.

Newcastle Chief Inspector Gerard Lawson says despite the police having their hands full this weekend, they are well equipped to handle all situations.

"We've certainly been very busy across a number of districts," he said, "police are well-equipped to do that sort of thing but it has been noticeably busier this weekend..."

However, Chief Inspector Lawson said it's disappointing to see this sort of conduct happening in the Hunter.

"None of the officers have lingering injuries, but they certainly were quite shaken and distressed one of the vehicles was rammed in Mayfield while police were just trying to detain a car full of young people," he said.

"...Especially from the perspective that these children have never held a licence and have never taken a driving lesson yet are driving around in vehicles and doing dangerous things."

It comes after a 23-year-old woman suffered back injuries after roof-hopping between two properties on Laman Street, Cooks Hill on Saturday night.

Police have issued a stern warning against the practice.

"If you're thinking of doing that just remember that on TV, it looks good," Inspector Lawson said, "but on TV there are highly-trained stunt people who risk-assess and use apparatus for safety - but when you're out there in real life it doesn't work that way."