A man is undergoing surgery following a serious assault near Newcastle.

About 11.40am today (Wednesday 30 September 2015), two men became involved in an argument outside a house on Upfold Street, Mayfield.

During the argument, one man sustained injuries to his neck after he was attacked with a tomahawk.

Emergency services were called to the premises; however the alleged offender had already fled the location.

A 34-year-old man was treated at the scene by Ambulance Paramedics. He was taken to John Hunter Hospital where he is undergoing emergency surgery.

Police have established a crime scene and continue to make inquiries into the incident.

Investigators attached to Newcastle Local Area Command would like to speak to a 37-year-old man in relation to the incident.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 178cm tall with a thin build. He may be wearing black clothing.

The man may be travelling in a black Hyundai bearing New South Wales registration plates AQ76RU.

If sighted, the man should not be approached; rather ‘Triple 0’ should be called immediately.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a cyclist was injured riding in the Lake Macquarie area last night.

About 8pm (Tuesday 29 September 2015), a 33-year-old man was riding his bicycle north on Wangi Road.

A white Holden Commodore sedan was also travelling north and collided with the cyclist.

The unconscious cyclist was assisted by the driver of the Holden before NSW Ambulance Paramedics arrived and conveyed him to John Hunter Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

Police from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended and established a crime scene.

Initial investigations suggest the cyclist was not wearing an approved bicycle helmet and was riding without reflectors and lights on his bicycle.

The driver of the Holden was taken to Belmont Hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing.

Investigators would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or the cyclist prior to the collision.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to these incidents to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Detectives investigating a public place shooting in Newcastle earlier this year have charged a man with a firearm offence.

Police were called to Youll Street at Wallsend just after 1am on Monday 9 March 2015, after shots were fired into a home.

No one was injured.

Officers from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended and commenced an investigation.

Strike Force Narabang was subsequently formed to investigate the shooting, as well as a number of other incidents in the area.

Following inquiries, strike force detectives stopped a vehicle on Elm Street at Gateshead about 12.45am on 19 March 2015.

During a search of the vehicle officers located and seized a firearm and a large sum of cash.

Following further inquiries, including forensic testing, detectives arrested a 29-year-old man in Silverwater today (Monday 28 September 2015).

He was charged with possess unregistered pistol and was bail refused to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Tuesday 29 September 2015).

Strike Force Narabang detectives are continuing their inquiries into the shooting and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

A man has been charged over the alleged armed robbery of a convenience store in Newcastle earlier this month.

About 9.15pm on Monday 14 September 2015, a man entered the store on Hannell Street at Maryville armed with a knife.

It’s alleged the man approached the attendant, a 28-year-old man, and demanded money from the register.

He fled with a sum of cash and police were notified.

Officers from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended and have been investigating the incident.

Following inquiries, a man was arrested at Newcastle Police Station today (Monday 28 September 2015).

The 22-year-old Wickham man was charged with robbery armed with an offensive weapon and was bail refused to appear at Newcastle Local Court today.

A man has been charged following the death of a girl in the Hunter Valley.

About 5.45am today (Wednesday 23 September 2015) police were called to a home on Redgum Circuit, Aberglasslyn, where they found a 12-year-old girl deceased.

A crime scene was established and detectives from Central Hunter Local Area Command commenced an investigation.

A 31-year-old man was arrested shortly after and taken to Maitland Police Station.

He has been charged with murder and has been refused bail.

He will appear in Maitland Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 24 September 2015).

The incident is believed to be domestic-related.

Inquiries continue.

Police are appealing for information following a child approach incident in the Newcastle area.

About 3.15pm yesterday (Tuesday 22 September 2015), a woman was at a museum on Workshop Way, when she noticed a man nearby.

The woman has told police the man was acting suspiciously and when the woman’s one-year-old daughter walked past him, he touched the infant’s cheek.

He then left the area and the woman alerted museum security and police about the incident.

Police conducted a number of patrols in the area; however the man could not be located.

Officers from Newcastle Local Area Command continue to investigate the incident and would like to speak to a man who they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries.

He is described as being Mediterranean/Middle Eastern in appearance, aged 25 – 35 years old, about 175-180cm tall and with a medium build. He is described as having a black receding hairline. He is further described as wearing white runners, blue denim jeans and a dark and light blue horizontal stripped tee shirt.

Meanwhile, the incident has again prompted police to encourage parents to discuss the ‘Safe People, Safe Places’ messages with their children, including;
– Make sure your parents or another adult you know knows where you are at all times.
– Always walk straight home or to the place you are walking to. Walk near busier roads and streets, or use paths where there are lots of other people.
– Know where safe places are – a shop, service station, police station, library or school. If you are ever frightened, you should go to one of these places and ask them to call the police.
– Learn about safe adults you can look for and talk to if you need help – police officers, teachers at school, adults you know and trust.
– Don’t talk to people you don’t know and never get into a car with someone you don’t know. If a car stops on the side of the road and you don’t know the person inside, do not stop.
– If you are scared and can use a phone, call 000 and tell them you are scared.
– If someone tries to grab you, yell out, ‘Go away, I don’t know you’. This lets other people know you have been approached by someone you don’t know.

A man is in custody after the suspicious death of a girl in the Hunter Valley.

About 5.45am today (Wednesday 23 September 2015) police were called to a home on Redgum Circuit, Aberglasslyn, where they found a 12-year-old girl deceased.

A crime scene was established and detectives from Central Hunter Local Area Command commenced an investigation.

Following a search, about 7.55am today, police took a 31-year-old man into custody at Racecourse Road, Rutherford. He was taken to Maitland Police Station where he is assisting with inquiries.

The incident is believed to be domestic-related.

Police continue to conduct inquiries into the incident and are speaking to witnesses.

A woman has died after being hit by a car in Wallsend on Sunday.

About 9.20am (Sunday 20 September 2015), emergency services were called to Metcalfe Street following reports a pedestrian had been struck.

Police have been told the 75-year-old woman attempted to cross the road when she was hit by a vehicle.

The woman was conveyed to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition where she was treated for head injuries.

The male driver of the grey Mazda 3 was not injured. He underwent a roadside breath test, which returned a negative result.

About 9.20am yesterday (Monday 21 September 2015) the woman passed away in hospital.

Officers attached to Newcastle Local Area Command will prepare a report for the Coroner.

Police are investigating the alleged assault of a man in a supermarket at Cessnock at the weekend.

It was about 11am Saturday (19 September 2015), a 49-year-old employee was approached by a man, who abused then hit him in the nose.

Witnesses intervened and the man left the store.

Police from Central Hunter Local Area Command are now investigating the incident but have been unable to identify the man.

The man is described as being aged in his 30s, 170cm-173cm tall, with a slim build, short light brown hair, and at the time he was wearing a black baseball cap.

The Lake Macquarie Local Area Command and the Belmont Rotary Club have teamed up to formally recognise the outstanding work of three local police employees.

Tonight (Monday 21 September 2015), the inaugural Lake Macquarie Rotary Police Officer of the Year Awards will be held at the Belmont 16 Foot Sailing Club.

Three local police employees will be recognised for their service and dedication in front of an audience that will include their families, colleagues and Rotary Club members.

The three police employees to be awarded are:

– Leading Senior Constable Jason Baker, who was voted ‘Lake Macquarie Police Officer of the Year’;

– Ms Sue Heaton, who was voted ‘Civilian Employee of the Year’; and,

– Senior Constable Kerrie Rogers, who was voted ‘Customer Service Officer of the Year’.

All three officers will now be entered into the state-wide Police Officer of the Year Awards, which will be held in Sydney on Friday 6 November 2015.

The Commander of the Lake Macquarie Local Area Command, Supt Brett Greentree, commended the winners for their great work and thanked the Rotary Club for their support.

“Jason, Sue and Kerrie deserved to be recognised for the excellent work they deliver, day in, day out,” Supt Greentree said.

“I would also like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to the Belmont Rotary Club for their ongoing support of local police officers.”