Neighbourhood Watch in
Ku-ring-gai and Hornsby

eNewsletter #421 - 05 November 2019

This weekly eNewsletter is compiled by Neighbourhood Watch volunteers as a service for residents in Ku-ring-gai and Hornsby council areas. The eNewsletter is a new type of Neighbourhood Watch; utilising the available technology to keep people more connected and up-to-date with local crime and safety issues. 

The eNewsletter includes a selection of posts from the Ku-ring-gai PAC Facebook page (also known as 'eyewatch'), primarily for those not familiar with Facebook. We add anything interesting from a Neighbourhood Watch point-of-view - this could be a local newspaper article, a roadwork warning, crime prevention tip(s), an upcoming Neighbourhood Watch meeting, Q&As from residents, or an item from an other Police command ("Crooks know no boundaries!").

They have been told the incident began at the intersection of the Pacific Highway and the M1 Motorway northbound about 6.40pm (Monday 4 November 2019), when the driver of a silver Mazda 3 reportedly became angry when the car in front stopped at an amber light.

Police have been told the first car – a silver Volkswagon Golf – and the Mazda 3 stopped a short time later at the first emergency bay on the M1 at Wahroonga, and both drivers got out of their vehicles. The driver of the Golf, a 29-year-old Central Coast man, has told police he was punched to the ground then kicked by two men from the Mazda3. The assault only ceased when a passing motorist intervened, and the second vehicle was driven from the scene. The man is now being treated in hospital for facial injuries and bruising.

Officers from Kuring Gai Police Area Command have initiated inquiries. They have released descriptions of two men they believe can assist with their inquiries.

The first man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in his early to mid-30s, about 180cm tall with a solid build, bald, and at the time he was wearing a t-shirt and shorts. The second man is described as also being of Caucasian appearance, aged in his early 30s, about 175cm tall with a thin build, and short brown hair. At the time he was wearing a white sleeveless top and shorts.

They are appealing for anyone who witnessed the assault, or who may have dashcam vision of the assault or events leading up to the incident, to call Hornsby Police station 9476 9799 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Q. If I have a Digital Driver Licence and I’m pulled over by NSW Police, when is it OK to pick up my phone to show my licence?

A: You can only use your mobile phone to access your Digital Driver Licence after being requested to do so by a police officer. It’s illegal to touch your phone before an authorised officer instructs you to do so.

For more information on the Digital Driver Licence, please visit the Service NSW website.

Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2017

Cl 25 Display of number-plates

(1) The vehicle number-plate issued by the Authority for a vehicle must be permanently affixed to the vehicle so that (assuming the vehicle to be on level ground)—
(a) the number-plate is at all times—
(i) in an upright position that is substantially parallel to the vehicle’s axles, and
(ii) not more than 1.3 metres above ground level, and

(b) the number-plate is not obscured, defaced or otherwise illegible, and

(c) the numbers on the number-plate are clearly visible from any point that is—
(i) up to 20 metres from the number-plate, and
(ii) within an arc of 45 degrees from the surface of the number-plate above or to either side of the vehicle, and

(d) any cover on the number-plate—
(i) is clear, clean, untinted and flat over its entire surface, and
(ii) has no reflective or other characteristics that would prevent the successful operation of a device approved for use under a law relating to the detection of traffic offences, and

(e) in the case of a motor vehicle other than a motor bike—1 number-plate is affixed to the front of the vehicle and another to its rear, and

(f) in the case of a motor bike or trailer—at least 1 number-plate is affixed to its rear, and

(g) in the case of a motor vehicle for which number-plates of different sizes are issued—the larger of the number-plates is affixed to the rear of the vehicle.

In August 2018, detectives from the Financial Crimes Squad’s Motor Unit established Strike Force Emelle to investigate the coordinated theft, rebirthing and on-sale of stolen motor vehicles and vessels across Sydney.

As part of their inquiries, detectives also received information about the supply of prohibited drugs. Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives, with assistance from the North West and South West Operations Support Group, executed five search warrants at homes in The Ponds, Hornsby, Yagoona, Ermington and Dundas yesterday (Wednesday 30 October 2019).

Three men – aged 20, 30 and 32 – were charged and remain before the courts.

During a search of the properties, officers seized more than $332,000 cash, four vehicles including a Honda Integra sedan, Toyota Prado and two BMW’s, four boats, a motorcycle, mobile phones, knuckle dusters, electronic devices, firearms and documents. Officers also seized more than 660g of cocaine, which has an estimated potential street value of more than $245,000.

Following further inquiries, detectives executed a further two search warrants at homes at Harris Park and Westleigh earlier today (Thursday 31 October 2019).

A 64-year-old man was arrested at a home in Westleigh and taken to Hornsby Police Station. The man was charged with 49 offences including knowingly facilitate organised car rebirthing, dishonestly make unique identifier (x44), possess unauthorised prohibited firearm, possess unauthorised firearm (x2), and not keep firearm safely. He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Hornsby Local Court on Wednesday 27 November 2019.

A short time later, a 20-year-old woman was arrested at the Harris Park home and taken to Granville Police Station. The woman was charged with supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), possess prohibited drug, steal motor vehicle (x2), and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen. She was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday 26 November 2019.

Investigations under Strike Force Emelle are continuing.

Check your blind spots and help motorcyclists ride to live: http://ridetolive.nsw.gov.au/

Have you heard about the Bridge Street Affray? It was an incident that occurred in 1894 in Sydney that changed policing in NSW.

Several unarmed police officers (as metropolitan police were then) were seriously assaulted with significant injuries sustained when the confronted three males who had attempted to break into the Union Steamship Company offices in Bridge street Sydney. The officers were assaulted with jemmy bars (smaller crow bars), suffering from a fractured skull and another sustained a broken arm. One officer was threatened with a gun. The offenders ran off only to be confronted by other police with another three officers being seriously assaulted. One of the offenders escaped and was never identified.

In 1894 as a result of the Bridge Street Affray, a number of Police in Sydney were injured while attempting to arrest a group of safe-breakers. Parliament subsequently passed legislation authorising the arming of all members of the NSW Police Force and all Police have carried firearms ever since.

More info on Police History here.


Picture extract from National library of Australia [Sydney Morning Herald 3 February 1894, p9 via Trove]

Neighbourhood Watch volunteers are helping with crime prevention stalls at two events coming up. Plenty FREE for you and the kids, including police dress-ups, colouring-in and our photo booth (where kids can pop their heads through a carnival style picture, becoming a police officer catching a criminal). FREE car rego plate locking screws, and UV pen & engraver to borrow - BRING YOUR BIKE AND POWER TOOLS!

We'd love to see you there!

👀 Party at Park @ Asquith Park, Mills Ave, community event 10-12noon on Sunday 10 November 2019 organised by Hornsby Shire Council and our Police Multi-cultural Community Liaison Officer (MCLO) Fiona Zhou and a few other organisations - more info here.

🔦 NHWA Crime Prevention Week at Thornleigh Bunnings from 10-2pm on Thursday 14 November 2019, with a crime prevention stall jointly run by Neighbourhood Watch and Ku-ring-gai NSWPF Crime Prevention Officer, Snr Cst Col Mitchell.


Thanks to the Monthly Chronicle November 2019.

Hi Neighbours, We had an attempted break in at our home in Whites Rd, Glenorie last night. Thankfully nothing taken, our dog must have scared them off. Have reported to police, they are sending a car to fingerprint etc. These thieves are still sneaking around our properties while we sleep. If anyone heard or saw anything suspicious in the area of Whites Rd in the early hours of this morning, please report it to police.

Anthony Charles Attard, 38, was last seen alive at his Girraween home about 10.30pm on Thursday 17 June 1999 by a work colleague. The pair had shared a coffee after a dance class at the Hornsby RSL.

Mr Attard’s body was located inside a bedroom of the home the following day by his girlfriend. He had suffered severe head injuries and police believe he had been attacked in his sleep. A post mortem suggested a heavy weapon had been used, but that item has never been located.

Anyone with information about this incident should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

'Raising Kids and Teens in a Digital World' parent forum for the Chinese communities 5:30-6:15pm on Tuesday 19th November 2019 at Hornsby PCYC. There will be BBQ Fund Raising by PCYC and information stalls between 5:30-6:15pm.

The Multicultural and youth work team from Ku-ring-gai PAC, PCYC Hornsby, and Relationships Australia are holding a night session for Chinese parents – “Raising Kids in Digital World for Chinese Parents”.

The workshop is for Chinese parents who have school age kids 4 to 14 years old, to help them to set up guidelines on managing screen time, protect kids from cyber bullying etc. 4-14 yos are invited to attend the session 6:15-8:30pm with our NSWPF Schools Liaison Officer Snr Cst Lynda Hart.

More info/booking here.

We have had the unfortunate experience of having a theft in broad day light. We live on the corner of Cairnes and Tecoma drive Glenorie. My husband has been working on our boat all day When he came inside someone stole the number plates all his paint worth hundred of dollars.
If anyone saw any strange vehicles or witnesses any strange behaviour, please let me know.

Please report potholes.
Especially new potholes appearing after the rain. Consider cyclists and motorcyclists and what could happen to them if they hit a pothole. 😩

If it's on the Pacific Highway call 131700.
If it's a local road, report to the council. The SnapSendSolve App has a potholes incident type if you have a willing passenger.

SERIES - PART 1 OF 4

Unwanted contact is any type of online communication your child finds unpleasant or confronting, or that leads them into a situation where they might do something they regret.

Unwanted contact is not limited to ‘strangers’ — it can happen even if your child initially welcomed the contact. It can also be online ‘friends’ your child has not met face-to-face, or from someone they actually know.

At worst, it can involve ‘grooming’ a child — building a relationship with a child online in order to sexually abuse them. This abuse can happen in a physical meeting, but it increasingly occurs online when young people are tricked or persuaded into sexual activity on webcams or into sending sexual images.

If you have information on child predators call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 (24/7).

For more advice about keeping your child safe online visit www.esafety.gov.au/parents

• User's Current Location or Dropped Pin
• Road Closed and Water Over Road locations
• Observed River Gauge Heights (with pinch gesture Graphs and Touch enabled historical readings)
• Compare, Rename or make Favourite River Gauges
• Flooded River Sections (for stations with Minor, Moderate and Major flood levels)
• Flood Watch and Flood Warning information
• Evacuation Warning, Evacuation Order and Evacuation All-Clear areas

Police have arrested and charged a former scout leader with alleged child sexual assault offences to have occurred in Sydney’s north shore more than 50 years ago. It will be alleged numerous sexual assaults were committed against a number of children, aged between 7 and 19, between 1961 and 1987.

In 2018 Strike Force Moonyean was established to investigate complaints referred by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Detectives from North Shore Police Area Command have conducted extensive inquiries since that time. Following extensive inquiries, Strike Force investigators arrested the former scout leader at a correctional facility in Silverwater just before 10am yesterday (Thursday 31 October 2019).

He was charged with multiple offences including; solicit male or incite male to commit indecent act (x11), indecent assault on male (x39), buggery (x4), and sexual assault (Cat 4) – assault and commit act of indecency (x8). The 76-year-old man appeared at Manly Local Court today (Friday 1 November 2019), where he refused bail to reappear at the same court on Wednesday 8 January 2020.

Follow our tips to keep your cameras safe here.

Child sexual abuse material consists of images, videos and live streamed footage that shows the sexual abuse or sexual exploitation of children. The content can range from children posing in sexually suggestive ways through to ‘contact’ offences involving direct sexual assault. In such cases, the predator is generally known to the child. However, an increasing number of cases investigated by police involve the sexual exploitation of children online by a stranger.

If you know or suspect someone is producing, downloading or sharing child sexual abuse material you can make a confidential report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at https://www.crimestoppers.com.au/

Child sexual abuse material can be reported anonymously to the eSafety Commissioner here.

HORNSBY Police are investigating after $1300 in damage was caused during an overnight incident at Hornsby Rifle Range. Sometime between 5.30pm Saturday and 8.30am Sunday an unknown number of suspects broke into the premises and caused damage to several flag poles, line markers and a large target number.

WAHROONGA A 54-year-old woman suffered multiple injuries after crashing her damaged vehicle into a parked car. At about 2.45am Wednesday, October 30, police and emergency services responded to reports of a woman trapped in her vehicle following a crash on Junction Rd in Wahroonga. The woman was driving with a disintegrated rear passenger side tyre when she collided with a parked car. The impact caused her vehicle to partially roll, trapping her inside. She sounded the horn to get the attention of local residents, who immediately called police. The woman was quickly freed after the windscreen was cut and removed. She was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital for treatment for arm, neck, back and abdominal pain. Police are currently awaiting the results of a mandatory blood test.

DURAL Police investigations are ongoing after a large number of cannabis plants were discovered at a property on Old Northern Rd, Dural. At about 7.30pm on Saturday, October 26, police and detectives executed a search warrant on a five bedroom home where they found and seized 65 mature cannabis plants as well as hydroponic equipment.

WAITARA A group of youths have been questioned by police over a deliberately-lit grass fire in Waitara. At about 11.45am Sunday, October 27, police and firefighters attended a small grass fire at Rotary Park on the corner of Romsey St and Leonard St. The fire was quickly put out with no structural damage to the premises. Six teenagers between 15 and 18-years-old were questioned at the scene however they were released after denying any involvement.

Thank you to the North Shore Times online Thursday 31 October:
Street Watch LINDFIELD A Lindfield resident has reported to police an extortion attempt by someone who hacked into their private email account. The resident received an email on Saturday October 26 that was sent from an email account also owned by them. The email threatened to send to a defamatory video to the victim’s email contacts unless a payment was made into a specified Bitcoin account. Anyone with any information or anyone who has experienced anything similar should contact police.