NSW Police and Corrective Services NSW have joined forces for a two-day operation to enforce laws with respect to registered child-sex offenders.

The operation was conducted in the by Strike Force Ranok, which comprises 35 specialist and general-duties police, as well as Corrective Services NSW personnel.

A range of specialist officers assisted Newcastle City Local Area Command; including detectives from State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad, as well as the Child Abuse Squad.

A particular focus of the operation was to review computer and other electronic equipment belonging to people convicted of possessing child-abuse materials.

These checks were conducted by specialist technology-enhanced crime officers.

During the operation – which ran from Tuesday 15 September to Wednesday 16 September 2015 – Strike Force Ranok personnel detected 18 breaches of the Child Protection (Offender Reporting) Act 2004. A total of 14 people were charged in relation to these breaches.

Of note, officers arrested a 26-year-old man following the execution of a search warrant. He was charged with:

– Possess child pornography;
– Use carriage service to access child abuse material;
– Fail to comply with reporting obligations;
– Contravene prohibition order;
– Use carriage service transmit/publish/promote child abuse; and
– Produce, disseminate or possess child abuse material.

He was refused bail and appeared in court today (Thursday 17 September 2015).

Acting Newcastle City Local Area Commander, Acting Superintendent Steve Laksa, said the welfare of children is of paramount importance to the NSW Police Force.

“We timed this operation intentionally to coincide with the lead-up to school holidays,” Acting Supt Laksa said.

“This operation under Strike Force Ranok follows another operation of the same nature in the Newcastle area last year, which at the time was the first of its kind.

“This week’s activities ran smoothly and we achieved our aim. The joint-agency approach – collaborating with State Crime Command and Corrective Services – worked extremely well, and I anticipate we will run more operations of this kind,” Acting Supt Laksa said.

Sex Crimes Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Linda Howlett, said operations of this kind help monitor compliance by registered offenders with their legal obligations under the Act.

“The Sex Crimes Squad constantly works with local police and partner agencies to monitor registered child-sex offenders,” Det Supt Howlett said.

“This operation follows on from last year’s efforts and has allowed police to send a loud, clear and unified message that we will not tolerate breaches of legislation designed to protect children,” Det Supt Howlett said.

Corrective Services NSW Director for Community Corrections in the Hunter, Rod Chenhall, said the joint operation allows both agencies to leverage of each other’s powers to ensure sex offenders are adapting to lawful community life.

“This type of operation adds another layer of monitoring as part of our continued efforts to enhance management of child-sex offenders in the community,” Mr Chenhall said.

“Corrective Services NSW hopes to continue working with NSW Police to ensure these offenders comply with the conditions imposed on them,” he said.

A man who had been reported missing from East Maitland has been taken to hospital after being located in bushland at Monkerai.
The man, aged 64, was last spoken to by family on Saturday 8 August 2015. On Saturday 5 September 2015, family attended his unit on Porter Avenue, East Maitland, and could not locate him. They subsequently notified police that he was missing.

Over the last 10 days, officers conducted a number of patrols and searches for the man.

As a result of information provided by local media and members of the community, police conducted a patrol of bushland in a remote area of the Barrington Tops earlier today (Wednesday 16 September 2015).

Shortly before 3pm, they located the man sitting in his vehicle, which was parked on a bush track about two kilometres from Monkerai Road.

The man was taken to Dungog Hospital for the treatment of symptoms related to exposure, dehydration and malnutrition.

Police and the man’s family would like to thank the community for their assistance.

Police are making inquiries after a young girl and boy were approached by a man in the Hunter.

Shortly after 3pm yesterday (Tuesday 15 September 2015), a nine-year-old girl and 12-year-old boy were walking home after getting off their school bus at Mount View Road, Cessnock.

On O’Shea Circuit, a man sitting in a car motioned to the young girl and asked her to come over to him. The girl said “No” to the man and ran towards her brother who was walking a short distance ahead.

The man in the car subsequently drove off.

Upon arriving home, the children told their parents what had happened, and police were notified.

Inquiries into the matter are now underway and police would like to hear from anyone who may be able to assist.

The man in the car is described as being aged between 40 and 60 years old. He was wearing a red t-shirt, a green hat and sunglasses. The car he was sitting in is only described as a light-blue sedan.

Police are appealing for the public’s assistance to help find a man who is missing from East Maitland.

Mark Ross Thompson, 64, was last spoken to by family on Saturday 8 August 2015.

On Saturday 5 September 2015, family attended his unit on Porter Avenue, East Maitland, and could not locate him.

They contact police and officers from Central Hunter Local Area Command commenced investigations. Searches for Mark Thompson have been unsuccessful and are now appealing for the community’s assistance.

There are serious concerns for his welfare as he has a medical condition, which requires medication.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 185cm tall, of large build, blue eyes, fair hair and with a beard/ moustache.

Mr Thompson’s car, a maroon Ford Fairlane with NSW registration BX43NV, is also missing.

Investigators are appealing for anyone with information about the whereabouts of Mark Thompson to call Crime Stoppers.

Police are appealing for public assistance as they investigate a man’s movements one week prior to his body being found in the Hunter River last month.

Just after 5.30pm on Friday 28 August 2015, Craig Elkin, 43, was located deceased in the Hunter River at Morpeth by a member of the public.

Officers from Central Hunter Local Area Command were called and established a crime scene.

Investigations into Mr Elkin’s death have indicated that his death was not suspicious.

However; detectives continue their inquiries into Mr Elkin’s movements between Sunday 23 August and Friday 28 August 2015, the time between when he was last seen and when his body was located.

Mr Elkin was last seen about 2am on Sunday 23 August, leaving an address on Glenarvon Road, Lorn. He was wearing dark-blue tracksuit pants, a green t-shirt, a navy jumper and black/red ‘Asics’ running shoes.

Police are appealing for anyone with information that may assist with their investigation to contact Crime Stoppers.

A report is being prepared for the Coroner.