Newcastle Drink Spiking Petition Heads To Parliament

 BY IAN CROUCH

Less than a month after securing 20,000 signatures on a Newcastle petition calling for reforms to Responsible Service of Alcohol Laws, state parliament set to debate drink spiking this week.

Newcastle-based What Were You Wearing launched the petition calling for all security and bar staff at nightclubs to be trained on drink spiking and sexual violence prevention.

It followed a rise in reported cases in recent months.

The petition has the support of Newcastle MP, Tim Crackanthorp, who will lead the debate on Thursday. 

Drink spiking petition to be debated in parliament this week Picture: The Independent

Police Investigate Suspicious House Fire At Waratah West

Police are appealing for information following a suspicious housefire in Newcastle overnight.

Just before 6pm yesterday (Friday 3 September 2021), emergency services were called to University Drive, Waratah West, following reports of a fire.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District along with Fire and Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the blaze a short time later.

Three rooms at the front of the property were destroyed, and a large portion of the house was damaged by smoke.

There were no reports of injuries.

A crime scene was established and specialist police examined the scene.

As inquiries continue into the circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire, police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.

Update: Emergency Beacon Sparks Search In The Barrington Tops

BY IAN CROUCH AND LAUREN FREEMANTLE

UPDATE:

Two men missing in the Barrington Tops have been found safe and well this morning.

It's believed the pair had been canyoning and abseiling in the national park when they were hit by torrential rain and storms at about 6.30 last night, activating an emergency beacon.

The Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter winched an Ambulance Paramedic down to the pair just before 10.00 am this morning.

They've both been winched out of a 160-foot canyon and flown to safety.

+++

EARLIER

Police say a personal locator beacon was activated by two men just after 6.30 last night, however poor weather has prevented a search from getting underway until this morning.

However, a vehicle belonging to the men was located on Williams Tops Road near Lagoon Pinch Road

It's understood the men, aged 48 and 46 had been canyoning and abseiling in the national park.

Police from the Port Stephens/Hunter District have been joined by personnel from Australian Search and Rescue and the Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter in the search for the pair.