Police are appealing for information after two males were approached on separate occasions at Hunters Hill.About 4.20pm on Thursday 11 February 2016, a 13-year-old boy was walking home from school on Pitt Street. The man followed the boy for a short distance. The boy started to run and the male continued to chase after him. The man stopped when he realised the boy was on his phone.
About 9.15am on Saturday (13 February 2016), another 13-year-old boy was approached on Ryde Road, Hunters Hill. The male approached the boy and allegedly yelled at him. The boy ran toward his friends and the man left the area. In both incidents, the male has been described as being about 20-30 years of age; 180cm tall with a fair complexion, muscular build and shoulder length, orange dreadlocks with a beard.
Both incidents were reported to police and officers attached to Ryde Local Area Command launched an investigation. Investigators are now keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed either incident. 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/
Incidents of this nature are a good reminder that you should discuss with your children stranger danger (or Safe People, Safe Places). It is important to reinforce the following with your children:
- 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.
There used to be the Safe House Programme and Neighbourhood Watch. Funding for Neighbourhood Watch was withdrawn, it is now up to each neigbourhood watch programme to raise its own funds. If you would like to start a Neighbourhood Watch programme in your area there is an information session you can attend:
Neighbourhood Watch Information Day
Date: Thursday, 17th March, 2016
Time: 8am for registration
Starting at 8.30am until 3pm
Location : NSW Teachers Federation
Conference Centre, 37 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills
Registration by Friday, 26th February 2016
Please reply by email to: [email protected]
Or phone: 02 97680723 or 02 97680724
Topics covered
- Marketing Strategy – Effectiveness of media and how to promote Neighbourhood Watch for today’s world
- Reporting Protocol – How do I report crime and suspicious behaviour
- Guidelines for sponsorship – Tips on how to obtain sponsorship and applying for Grants
- Graffiti Removal Day – Working with Neighbourhood Watch Groups to minimise the effect of Graffiti
- Mail theft issues
- Best practise and networking
For more information on Neighbourhood Watch please go to the NSW Police Force web site using the following link: www.police.nsw.gov.au/…/crime_preve…/neighbourhood_watch_nsw
You may like to speak to your local Residents’ Association about forming a Neighbourhood Watch programme. Details of your local Residents’ Association can be found here.
Do you have a question about Lane Cove you are dying to have answered? Please send us an email at [email protected]
Have you liked our Facebook page or Instagram Page – what are you waiting for?!
I know we don’t have the’safe house’ project any longer, but , speaking as The Burns Bay Bookery, we’d be happy for you to tell your children that we are just that – if they’re ever uncomfortable with a situation in the Plaza, or feel unsafe, or don’t know what they should do next – come straight to the shop. We are a safe place and we’ll look after them until we can contact you. We love our littles xx