A woman has been arrested and charged after a man was stabbed during a domestic incident in the Lake Macquarie area last night.

Police were told a man and woman had been arguing at their Warners Bay home throughout Monday night (1 August 2016), when the woman allegedly armed herself with a knife about 9.30pm.

The man grabbed the knife, suffering a cut to his hand, and was then allegedly stabbed in the arm and back with another knife.

The woman suffered a head wound after being pushed into a refrigerator during the incident.

Four children were at the home at the time of the incident but were not injured.

Police were called to the home several hours later and the man, aged 32, was taken to John Hunter Hospital where he is being treated for non life-threatening injuries.

The woman, aged 56, was taken to Belmont Hospital, then to Belmont Police Station upon her release.

She was charged with reckless wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and has been refused bail to appear at Toronto Local Court today (Tuesday 2 August 2016).

Inquiries are continuing.

Police have charged 19 people after a retail theft operation in Charlestown last week.

Officers from the Lake Macquarie Target Action Group and Property Crime Reduction Team undertook a retail theft operation in the Charlestown area between Wednesday 27 July and Saturday 30 July.

The operation was established after police identified a significant increase in retail theft in the Charlestown area in the first half of 2016.

During the operation police apprehended 62 people. Of these 62 people, 19 people were charged. A total of 49 offences, mainly relating to retail theft, were charged, 30 criminal infringement notices were given out and 12 juveniles were cautioned.

During the operation the following people were charged:

A 34-year-old female was charged with shoplifting, goods in custody and resist arrest. She was granted bail and will appear in Belmont Local Court on 24 August 2016.

A 42-year-old male was charged with shoplifting. He was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice and will appear in Belmont Local Court 24 August 2016.

A 15-year-old male appeared at a Children’s Court today (Monday 1 August 2016) after he was charged with shoplifting and enter dwelling with intent.

A 32-year-old female was charged with shoplifting. She was refused bail and will appear in Toronto Local Court on 6 September 2016.

A 29-year-old female appeared in Newcastle Local Court on Friday 29 July 2016 after she was charged with three counts of shoplifting and three outstanding warrants.

A 16-year-old male charged with two counts of break enter and steal. He was granted bail and will appear at a Children’s Court on 31 August 2016.

A 32-year-old male charged with take and drive conveyance and two counts of larceny. He was granted bail and will appear in Belmont Local Court on 24 August 2016.

A 31-year-old female charged with shoplifting and state false name. She was refused bail and will appear in Newcastle Local Court on 15 September 2016.

A 28-year-old male charged stealing. He was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice and will appear at Belmont Local Court on 31 August 2016.

Lake Macquarie Detective Superintendent, Brett Greentree, says the operation was a success and similar operations will be conducted in the coming months.

“It was a successful four-day operation with our officers making a significant number of arrests,” Superintendent Greentree said.

“With Christmas and peak shopping seasons coming up we will continue to monitor retail theft in the area and conduct similar operations.”

Police are appealing for information after a 73-year-old woman and her friend were robbed in Lambton last night.

About 6pm (Saturday 30 July 2016), the woman and her friend arrived at a home on Armstrong Street and commenced to unpack the boot of a vehicle.

The pair entered a unit and a short time later, an unknown man appeared at the premises, before threatening the pair and demanding their handbags.

The man fled the scene, taking two handbags. The women were uninjured.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Local Area Command were called and established a crime scene.

As inquiries into the incident continue, police would like to speak to a man who may be able to assist them.

He is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 30-years-old, of medium build, and was seen wearing a beanie.

Anyone with information is urged to come forward and contact local police via Crime Stoppers.

Police are appealing for public assistance as they investigate six separate vehicle fires in the Lake Macquarie Local Area Command, which are believed to be linked.

About 3am this morning (Sunday 31 July 2016), emergency services were called to Kolang and Biwong Streets, and surrounding areas in Blacksmiths, following reports of at least six vehicles on fire.

Fire & Rescue NSW officers attended and extinguished the blazes. No one was injured.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Local Area Command have established a number of crime scenes, and are investigating the cause of the fires.

Initial inquiries have led police to believe the incidents are all linked and are suspicious.

Any witnesses, or anyone with information, are urged to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers.

A man has been charged after a search warrant north of Newcastle.

Following an investigation by officers from Port Stephens Local Area Command, about 3pm today (Friday 29 July 2016), officers executed a search warrant at a home on Ford Avenue, Medowie.

Police arrested a 35-year-old man who is the subject of a Firearms Prohibition Order.

During a search of the home, police allegedly located a shortened rifle, a shotgun, a small quantity of crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’), a replica handgun, ammunition, and a butterfly knife.

The man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was charged with possess prohibited drug; possess restricted substance; possess prohibited weapon; possess ammunition; possess shortened firearm; possess unauthorised firearm; possess unauthorised pistol; not keep firearm safe; and firearm found at premises subjected to a firearms prohibition order.

He was refused bail to appear at Maitland Bail Court tomorrow (Saturday 30 July 2016).