Crime Spree Sparks Calls for Wallsend Police Station

BY GEMMA FERGUSON

Local MP, Sonia Hornery, is calling for a permanent Police presence in Wallsend following recent crime sprees in her electorate.

It comes after Newcastle Police were involved in a number of incidents last week.

In less than 24 hours between last Thursday afternoon and Friday morning patrolling officers made five arrests in Wallsend alone.

Sonia Hornery believes police response times would be greatly improved by providing a permanent base nearby, with the closest station currently Waratah.

"Residents are fed up, the crime waves are continuing and criminals know that there are very few, if any, Police in the area during the night," said Ms Hornery.

"I have never seen it so bad."

This is not the first time the Wallsend MP has pleaded with parliament for more police resources.

In February this year, 201 Police cadets graduated from Goulburn.

88% of the new officers were stationed in Sydney and the rest of the state shared the remaining 12%.

Of that, zero new officers came to the Hunter region.

"Local Police are doing everything they can but they simply don't have the feet on the ground to be able to spend enough time in the western suburbs to catch these criminals," Sonia added.

Man charged after crime spree across Newcastle

BY JESSICA ROUSE

If you've noticed you've lost a surf board or two, a bike, some tools and maybe even a tent, police might have found them for you.

A man is facing numerous charges after a crime spree throughout Newcastle and Lake Macquarie where he allegedly broke into a number of vehicles and homes stealing a number of items.

Police have been investigating the break ins which yesterday led them to a home in Kotara South, where they arrested a 30-year-old man just after 10am, and seized various items including a motorcycle which police allege is stolen.

Officers then moved on to a home in Mayfield on Havelock Street where they executed a search warrant.

At this location officers located a number of allegedly stolen items including electric tools, seven bicycles, five surf boards, large amounts of portable electronic equipment, a generator, a tent, a lawn mower and even a whipper snipper.

The 30-year-old man is accused of stealing the items from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle West, Broadmeadow, Islington, Kotara South, Redhead and Wyoming.

He was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with 11 offenses relating to the incidences.

He was refused bail and will appear in Newcastle Local Court today.

Day-Long Crime Spree Ends At Kooragang Island

BY IAN CROUCH.

A man wanted over a crime spree across the Lower Hunter and Port Stephens has been arrested at Kooragang Island.

The man's accused of jumping the counter at the Metro Service Station at Tarro just after midnight on Monday and making off with cigarettes and cash in a stolen car which was later found on fire at Mallabulla.

It's alleged he then broke into two homes at Tanilba Bay at about 6.00am and stole a handbag and a Suzuki Swift.

Then about two hours later, cash was stolen from a resort at Nelson Bay and a third car was stolen from a home on in nearby Tomaree Street.

Officers eventually caught up with the alleged offender at about 6.00pm with several police cars converging on Cormorant Road, Kooragang Island.

A 25-year-old man has been refused bail to face Raymond Terrace Local Court today charged with 12 offences including, robbery, damage property by fire, drive recklessly/furiously or speed in a manner dangerous, goods in custody and drug possession.