The latest telephone scam to hit our area is a cold call from a person purporting to be from the ‘Australian Government Financial Department’.  In short the caller has some details about the person he calls and advises that the ‘Government’ owes them money for overcharges on their credit cards / accounts.  But, to get this money they are required to deposit a quantity of funds via Australia Post into a Western Union wire transfer.

This is obviously a scam, if any person represents an organisation and claims they owe you money please obtain their details and confirm the details via their head office.  If it’s all above board then the people you are dealing with will not hesitate to give you the information, please ensure you obtain contact details from another source and do not rely on the contact details they may supply you. Do not send any money via a Western Union or other wire transfer before first confirming all the information.  If in any doubt seek assistance from a financial adviser or solicitor.  At the end of the day it’s your hard earned money, don’t just give it away!

The Bowral community are reminded that Police are targeting alcohol related crime and associated antisocial behaviour. Police will continue to target persons and licensed premises taking a zero tolerance to alcohol fuelled criminal and antisocial behaviour.

11/08/2014: About 1.55pm on Monday the 11th of August 2014, a local 61 year old female entered the IGA Supermarket, located on Clarence Street, Moss Vale NSW. The female picked up a 150 gram piece of Parmareggio Reggiano cheese and a four pack of Gotzinger Kransky’s then secreted them down the front of her pants. This was observed by staff member within the store.

The offender was stopped and spoken to shortly afterwards by the store manager. While speaking with female the cheese fell out of the bottom of her pant leg onto the floor.  As the packet of Kransky's was bulging in her pants and was clearly visible the offender then removed the Kransky's from her pants and handed them to the manager. The accused was taken to the rear of the store to wait for police arrival. Police then spoke with the offender issuing her with a Criminal Infringement Notice for larceny. The offender was also issued a banning notice prohibiting her return to the store.

10/08/2014: On Sunday, the 10 August, 2014, at 1.50am, a 27 year old male was the driver of a blue Holden Commodore sedan, which he drove in a southerly direction on Argyle Street, Moss Vale.  When near the intersection of Yarrawa Road he was stopped for a mobile random breath test which proved positive.

The driver was placed under arrest for the purposes of a breath analysis and conveyed to Bowral Police Station. At Bowral Police Station, he was submitted to a breath analysis which showed a reading of 0.108 grammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The driver was issued with a Notice of Suspension of his licence and was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice for mid range PCA..

10/08/14: On Sunday the 10th of August Police and Moss Vale fire brigade were called to a cottage located on the Illawarra Highway, Moss Vale in relation to a fire. It appears an electrical lead connected to a water heater has sparked and caught fire. The fire has caused minimal damage to the front of the premises. The fire was subsequently extinguished without further incident.

09/08/2014 to 10/08/2014: Between 12:30 on Saturday 09 August 2014 and 17:05 on Sunday 10 August 2014 offender/s have forced the lock on the ground floor side laundry door and have gained entry to a property in Spencer St Mittagong. Once inside, offender/s appear to have entered one bedroom and the living area and have stolen an iPad and handbag. The victim stated that the power also appears to have been turned off and there are 2 x knives on the floor at the location. At 1715 on Sunday 10 August 2014 victim has recovered her stolen handbag in the backyard near the meter box at the location however the iPad remains stolen. No property appears to have been stolen from the handbag.

The Crookwell community are reminded that Police are targeting alcohol related crime and associated antisocial behaviour. Police will continue to target persons and licensed premises taking a zero tolerance to alcohol fuelled criminal and antisocial behaviour.

03/08/2014: Between the hours of 0200 and 0600 on Sunday 03/08/2014 offender(s) have pulled numerous street signs out of the ground whilst walking along Carrington Street Crookwell. Whilst walking along a newly constructed footpath also in Carrington Street offender(s) have pulled apart a newly constructed retaining wall (modular bricks) and left them lying over the foot path. A council worker has attended Crookwell Police Station and reported the matter.

The Goulburn community are reminded that Police are targeting alcohol related crime and associated antisocial behaviour. Police will continue to target persons and licensed premises taking a zero tolerance to alcohol fuelled criminal and antisocial behaviour.

10/08/2014: About 0835 on Sunday 10082014 Police stopped a blue Holden Commodore driven by a 27 year old female in Queen Street, Goulburn for the purpose of a Random Breath and Drug Test.

The drivers breath test result was negative; the accused was then subjected to an oral fluid test, which subsequently produced a positive detection to Methylamphetamine. The driver was arrested for the purpose of a secondary oral fluid test. The driver then provided a sample of oral fluid sufficient for analysis which returned a result of positive to Methylamphetamine.

The driver was issued with a Notice of Prohibition from driving. At the time the driver had a passenger and her two small children in the vehicle. The driver was issued with a court attendance notice for the offence of Drive with illicit drug present in Oral Fluid.

10/08/2014: About 0957 on Sunday 10082014 Police stopped a silver Holden Commodore driven by a 35 year old male in Victoria Street, Goulburn for the purpose of a Random Breath and Drug Test. The drivers breath test result was negative; the accused was then subjected to an oral fluid test, which subsequently produced a positive detection to Cannabis and Methylamphetamine. The driver was arrested for the purpose of a secondary oral fluid which returned a result of positive to cannabis and Methylamphetamine. The driver was issued with a Notice of Prohibition from driving. The driver was issued with a court attendance notice for the offence of Drive with illicit drug present in Oral Fluid.

10/08/2014: At 9:10pm on Sunday the 10/08/2014 a 54 year old female from Cowra drove a blue Toyota along the Hume Highway near the Towrang exit when a kangaroo has entered the highway colliding with the vehicle. The driver fortunately escaped any injuries as a result of the accident.

09/08/2014: About 4.30pm on Saturday the 9th August 2014 a local 32 year old male driver of a blue Mazda was stopped by Police in Gibson Street, Goulburn for the purpose of a mobile random breath test. Whilst talking to the driver it was noted there was a strong smell of alcohol coming from within the vehicle, police could also see an empty long neck bottle of Calton Draught laying on the from passenger seat and an opened can of Calton Draught in the centre console cup holder. The driver was subjected to a roadside random breath test, which gave a positive reading. The driver was arrested and conveyed to the Goulburn police station and he was then subjected to a Breath Analysis which gave a positive reading. The driver was issued a Court Attendance Notice for the PCA related offence.

The Yass community are reminded that Police are targeting alcohol related crime and associated antisocial behaviour. Police will continue to target persons and licensed premises taking a zero tolerance to alcohol fuelled criminal and antisocial behaviour.

09/08/2014: About 18:05pm on the 9th August 2014, three males attended a local hotel in Yass where they all consumed a moderate amount of alcohol. They remained at the Hotel until it closed then began walking to an address in Mont Street. As the parties were walking two of the males have entered into an argument. As a result, one of the males wanted to physically fight the other. The other male then stated he had a knife on him. As a result the other male has called Police who located the male with the knife a short time later. The male with possession of the knife was issued an infringement for Custody of a Knife in a Public Place. Everyone is reminded that knifes of any description are not permitted to be on a person in a public place. If knifes are used in the course of employment, it is only at that specific business location and for that work purpose only that they are legal.

A Criminal Infringement Notice (CIN) acts as an ‘On the Spot Fine’ for certain criminal acts.   A CIN for ‘Offensive Behaviour’ attracts a $200.00 fine.  Police will continue to take a zero tolerance approach to these types of anti-social street offences.

Reporting crime is the responsibility of us all within the community. Police will always work to reduce crime and bring offenders to justice but as members of the community it is the responsibility of every person to report crime or suspicious behaviour to police.  Always report suspicious/criminal activities via any of the methods listed below but never place yourself in a vulnerable or dangerous situation in doing so. By working together we can enhance and protect our community and the lifestyles we enjoy. 

There are four ways to report crime to police in NSW, depending on the nature of the information:

- 000: 000 can connect you to Police, Fire or Ambulance, depending on your situation. Only dial this number if you want to report a crime in progress or if it is a life-threatening situation.

- Local police station: You can call or visit your local police station at any time to report a crime.

- 131 444 – Police Assistance Line: You can call PAL to report minor crimes that have already been committed (crimes that are not in progress) and which do not involve traumatised victims or requires urgent attention or attendance. When you ring PAL, specially trained Customer Service Representatives will take the details of the crime, and make them available to local police through the police computer system for analysis and action if required.

- 1800 333 000 – Crime Stoppers: If you have information about a crime or criminal behaviour, then call Crime Stoppers on this toll free number. Crime Stoppers uses information that members of the public provide to solve crimes and catch offenders. You are guaranteed anonymity and confidentiality and, if your information leads to an arrest, you could receive a reward.