Inquiries are continuing after a truck crashed through a guard rail on the M1 near Morisset yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 24 February 24 2016).

About 3.30pm emergency services were called to the northbound lanes of the M1 near Bushell’s Ridge.

A B-double carrying a load of steel had left the road and went down an embankment.

Passing motorists came to the male driver’s aid.

A roadside breath test returned a negative result.

The man was assessed on site by NSW Ambulance Paramedics. It is understood he did not require hospitalisation.

Police believe the man had a medical episode at the time of the crash.

The truck was recovered from the crash site last night.

Toronto police have announced they will be moving to temporary premises while a new police station is built on the existing site.
The current police station has been operating out of the Carey Street premises for a considerable number of years and was badly in need of updating.

As of Monday 29 February 2016, Toronto police will be operating out of Boolaroo Police Station at 95 Main Road, Boolaroo, while the new premises at Toronto are constructed.

Acting Superintendent Darryn Cox welcomed the change, but wished to reassure the community that police resources in the area will not be affected by the move.

“Despite the move, members of the public should be reassured that Police will continue to serve the community of Toronto and surrounding areas.”

“Anyone who wants to report crime will be able to do so day or night with the Boolaroo police station open 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Acting Superintendent Cox said.

Members of the public are also being informed that the phone number (02 4950 3699) for general inquiries to Toronto Police Station remains unchanged, with calls transferred to Boolaroo.
Meanwhile, anyone in need of urgent assistance should call emergency services via Triple Zero (000).

Police are investigating after firearms were stolen during a break-in at Rutherford, in the state’s Hunter Region.

Between 8.30pm on Sunday (21 February 2016) and 6.30am yesterday (Monday 22 February 2016), the garage of a property on Wollombi Road was broken into.

Two firearms – a .22 rifle and a .177 air rifle – were stolen from a locked safe, with .22 ammunition also taken from a separate safe.

Officers from Central Hunter Local Area Command are investigating and anyone with information about the missing firearms is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Police are advising residents in the Cessnock area that a telephone fault has meant they are currently unable to call their local police station.

The fault occurred approximately one hour ago and at this stage, it is believed the phone line will be operational about midday today (Sunday 21 February 2016).

In the meantime, anyone trying to report non life-threatening matters to officers at Cessnock Police Station should instead contact Maitland Police Station on (02) 4934 0200.

As always, anyone wanting to report a life-threatening matter should contact Triple Zero (000).

Telephone communications between police officers remains unaffected.

Police are conducting inquiries after two children were approached by a man near Newcastle.

On Thursday afternoon (18 February 2016), an 11-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl were walking along Smith Street, Merewether, when they noticed a man following them.

The man followed the children for a number of minutes and, when they stopped at a property on Glebe Road, the man attempted to engage them in conversation.

When the children ignored the man, he left the location.

The matter was reported to police and officers from the Newcastle Local Area Command have now commenced inquiries into the matter.

The man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, around 40 years of age, between 170 and 180cm tall and of thin build. He was wearing a colourful trucker hat, a light blue shirt, white/grey shorts and white joggers.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident 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.