Manning Great Lakes Police District officers will work with MidCoast Council to reduce the number of rock throwing incidents in the Taree area.
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This follows an incident on Friday, May 18 where a vehicle was damaged by projectiles.
This happened at 8.20pm on Bushland Drive (between Dunoon Street and Kanangra Drive).
Taree Police patrolled the area following the report and identified two children, aged 12 and 13, who were responsible.
The offenders will be dealt with by the Young Offenders Act.
The female driver was reported to be “very shaken”.
Chief inspector Christine George said items left behind from drainage works along with the terrain have increased the opportunities for rock throwers.
“We have met with MidCoast Council to see what we can do to reduce the number of incidents of that crime,’’ chief inspector George said..
“Police have been working to try and curb this behaviour in that area and we have been running some stakeholder meetings to try and make the area safer.
“We will be going out and looking at the vegetation to remove as well as increasing surveillance.
“We ask anyone who is a victim of this crime to contact the police, provide any information that you can.”
Chief inspector George highlighted the severity and consequences of rock throwing.
“It is very dangerous, any parents who have children involved in this type of activity have to understand that these situations can become deadly.
“We’ve had incidents around the State where people have been hit by rocks and have lost control of their vehicles.
“It not only a danger to them but a danger for the children throwing the rocks.
“It would be very traumatic if someone got killed as a result of rock throwing.
“This has been an issue in this area for more than 40 years,” Chief Inspector George added.
Chief Inspector George advised motorists to “be on the look out” as they drive through the area and be aware of the surroundings.
“If there are areas that are really well known, try to avoid them.
“I know it’s not always possible but we are still working on it and are looking to identify as many people as possible to try and make sure it stops.”
Chief inspector George also reminded residents to report rock throwing incidents instead of speculating on social media.
“We monitor social media and we see the conversations that are going on in the community in relation to incidents that happen around the area,” Chief Inspector George said.
“We would encourage people to come to police on the first instance.”