Newcastle Police Defend Time Taken To Resolve Siege

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle's most senior Police officer says he makes no apology for the inconvenience caused to residents from the 17-hour siege at Tighes Hill.

People living around Henry Street were evacuated from their homes yesterday morning and forced sit at a nearby oval as officers attempted to negotiate with a 27-year-old man, which continued  throughout the night.

He eventually surrendered to police at 4.45am today and is expected to be charged over a triple stabbing in Sydney and two armed hold-ups in Newcastle.

Superintendent John Gralton says community safety is paramount when they're dealing with siege situations.

"There's certainly going to be disruption in the community, but we can't be held responsible for that and I make no immediate apology for that. What I do say is that we kept the community as safe as we possibly could during this operation, and that was what was forefront in our minds - is making sure that we affected the arrest of this violent individual," he said.

Superintendent John Gralton Prepares To Address The Media At Waratah Police Station This Morning Picture:Ian Crouch

Newcastle's Top Cop Questions Future Of Foreshore Music Festival

BY IAN CROUCH

 Newcastle Police Superintendent, John Gralton says his officers and council will need to work very closely with the promoter of the This That Music Festival if the event is to return to the city next year.

46 people were caught with illegal drugs while more than 100 revelers were treated by Ambulance Paramedics after overdosing on Saturday, with 7 ending up in hospital.

Police say they're astounded by the must-have drug culture which pervades some music festivals and the number of under-age people trying to gain entry into the over-18's event.

Superintendent John Gralton

Dob In A Dealer Launched In Newcastle

BY IAN CROUCH

 Newcastle Police have enlisted the help of the community to help stamp out the use and possession of the drug ICE with the launch to day of the Dob In A Dealer campaign.

The Federal government provided more than $1million to Crime Stoppers Australia to run the campaign.

In NSW, 21 Local Area Commands are taking part in the campaign over a six month period from March to September this year.

During today's launch at Waratah Police Station, Superintendent John Gralton referred to the latest data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics.

"Amphetamine use and possession in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie areas has effectively tripled over the past 10 years, so it;s for this reason that Newcastle City Police is joining the state's effort in launching the Dob In A Dealer campaign," he said.

However, he said police cannot fight the scourge of ICE alone and they need community support to identify people who they can then take action against.

"In one case in Sydney, a simple anonymous call to Crime Stoppers led to the seizure of 585 kilograms of ICE and this means that 585 kilograms of ICE didn't hit the streets and decimate families," he said.

Anyone with information on drug dealing activities can do so anonymously and in complete confidence by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Crime Stoppers Chairman Robert Forsyth and Newcastle Police Superintendent John Gralton at today's launch. Photo Ian Crouch