Calls For Increased Police Resources Following Maryland Robbery

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery will write to Police Minister Troy Grant to request more resources for local police services following an armed robbery at Maryland Tavern last night.

The latest in a string of robberies saw four armed men enter the venue just after 10:30pm, threatening staff before making off with a sum of cash. They were arrested a short time later.

Extra patrols in Wallsend have had a positive impact on the community in recent months, but Sonia Hornery says local police are struggling with a lack of staff and resources.

The MP says last night's work was down to the quick work of police officers but suggested the result could have been different had the officers not been nearby.

"You can imagine if the police are responding to a crime in Stockton and they need to respond to a major assault in the Maryland area, that's a long way for them to travel."

This is not the first time Ms Hornery has contacted the Police Minister about this issue, which she believes isn't being taken seriously.

"Over the last several rounds of allocations, the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie commands have been granted negligible staff increases while the area continues to grow in population," Ms Hornery said.

"I call on the Minister for Police to take a long, hard look at the Government's police staffing and resource allocation priorities."

The four men involved in last night's robbery were scheduled to appear at Newcastle Local Court today.

Image source: abc.net.au

Four Men Arrested After Armed Robbery At Maryland

BY IAN CROUCH

Four men have been arrested over a terrifying Anzac Day armed robbery at a Maryland hotel.

It's alleged the group armed with a baseball bat, a knife and a tazer entered the Maryland Tavern on Maryland Drive after closing times at about 10.30pm and threatened the manager and two staff members before fleeing with a sum of cash in a black Commodore.

It's alleged the group also took personal items from the staff including a woman's handbag.

Officers noticed the car on Frederick Street, Glendale a short time later and began a pursuit which ended in Rayford Street, Warners Bay.

Four men aged 24, 25, 26 and 30 were arrested with the assistance of the Dog Squad - two were taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment of bite wounds.

All four have been charged with robbery in company whilst armed with an offensive weapon and have been refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today.